Connecticut western news., 1905-02-02
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 cheeks were n rosy red. The guests of the hotel soon came to know each oth- CT, and the white haired lady, as we called her. was the life of the house She said things ill droll way, made light of inconvenience and misfor- tunes and was given to story telling.
 One evening I ventured to ask her if there was any cause for her prema' on her face, but she could so well as- sume any expression that was uncer- tain if 1t were genuine.
 "Thereby hangs a tale" she said, and several persons who had heard the question and reply drew rear to hear what was coming.
 "I was spending a summer at Lake M.," she said. 'I was engaged to be married at the time. and you know en- gagged people are as satisfactory to themselves as they are unsatisfactory to every one else. TEe railway station was half ndle from the hotel, and my lover used to come up once or twice week for short stay. He arrived on the 7:30 train in the evening. and always walked to the station to meet him. At first it was quite light at that hour, but toward the end of Au- gust it began to grow pretty dark.
 One evening I started to make the walk as usual. I was uncertain of the time and was afraid I would be late. Hurrying through wood, was sud denly halted by Il voice:
 "'What's your hurry?
 Before me stood the dark form of a man. I couldn't see what he looked like or how he was dressed. I was very much frightened, but have no re- spect for those people who collapse on the slightest provoeatlon, so I braced myself to conceal my terror. I-replied | calmly:
 I'm going to meet the 7:30 train"
 "Oh, you are? Reckon yer feller's comin' up from town. Gals don't most ly hurry to meet trains for mother-in- laws and sich like" You are right" l replied. My young man is to come in on the train. I think I'm late. Quite likely 1t is already in and I'm liable to meet him any moment. I think I hear his step now"
 This was a pure bluff, intended to | let the man understand that If he mo- tested me he was liable to be overtaken in the act.
 "Oh, I know your feller," he replied 1 i've seen you and him walkin from the station many a time. He's not much of feller''
 "Will you let me pass?" I said. If not you may have an opportunity to learn what kind of 'feller' he is. He can't surely be far away"
 "'Pon my word, little gal, you're q ] plucky one. But as for that slab sided, knock kneed lover of yours, I've got something right here to fix him." He put his hand In his pocket and l drew out something-I could not see what 1t was hut of course 1t must = pistol-and pointed 1t right at me. wanted to shriek, but feared the man would consider shriek a call for help and attack me at once, so I forced laugh-a laugh of contempt for lsssr and his weapon.
 Tt isn't the kind that kills at forty rods," he said. Its smoothbore It's pills are not bad to take, especially if they hit one in the stomach. I cou.tl make that lover of yours lay down with it-that is, if poured enough of the contents into him." | I laughed again, this time louder than before. I was nearer to a spasm At the same time I fancied that my 1 hilarity would make the iend believe considered myself perfectly safe. | Do you suppose" 1 said, that ei ther he or Iwould go through this wood except we were armed to the teeth?' Il had read somewhere of the men of the west, half century ago, drawing bowie knives from the back of their necks, and, putting my hand to my head, pulled out hairpin.
 By love, Cynthia, you're a jim dandy! You should go on the stage But enough of this little farce
 That was all I heard. I knew the man was my fance, and the relief was too much for me. I tainted and knew nothing till I saw him bending over me, holding a flask to my lips and felt the fiery liquor on my mouth. "'For heavens sake he exclaimed, what does this mean? Are you all right again?'
 Why gasped, did you draw that pistol on meP
 "'Pistol! You little goose! It's noth. ing but pocket pistol.' Thank heav- en, I had it with me!
 "I thought you were a robber,' moaned.
 And I supposed you knew me all the time
 By this time I was somewhat recov- cred. I got upon my trembling limbs, and, taking his arm, we walked to the hotel"
 II sec" exclaimed one of the listen. CTS. impatient for the end of the story. "The next morning yost hair was white as snow"
 "Yes; 1t was"
 "In a single nlght2" The white haired lady made no reply. Her husband laughed, arose and, going out of the room remarked: | "All made out of whole cloth" MARTHA Y. DARGAA Shine, Traax-u rt.-r