Connecticut western news., 1920-12-30
liant 

pTS f'r g. S-~. ict!on
 Telf, ri foIluwe, quick | t.a' e He returned to h!- desk and .Frote out a check for ore hundred ta'lars. Then he stepped beside his ht'aistri- ous employee.
 Make happy New Years for your folks at home, Graham" he said with assumed lightness of tone. And by the way, we'll close up for the week. I think I'll take little run to -to-down into the country"
 Bruce Telford left the city with a well-stored suitcase. The next after noon saw him ringing the doorbell of the old mansion where he had spent so many happy hours. The servant recognized him with start and showed him into the parlor.
 There were old familiar aspects to the room, and there in the alcove was the special corner always given % dead Mr. Burton. The caller even recognized his desk. hisearmchair, his favorite books. It looked as though this was q spot sacred to the memory of the beloved parent, preserved as of old and not disturbed. Involuntarily Telford took up one of the volumes. He instantly recognized a classical author from whom aIr. Burton had frequently quoted. Almost uncon- sciously he turned over the leaves. He smiled in sad retrospect as he noted 6 line that had been a favorite with the dead man, and, following the context, turned over a new leaf
 No marvel that he startedi That volume had probably remained un- opened for years. There between the pages lay three letters. They were yellow and faded with time. Each sne bore an uncanceled stamp. Un- doubtedly given to MT. Burton to mail, fin his absent-mindednes he had placed them temporarily in the book and they had never been mailed.
 "Mr. Bruce Telford"-one was ad- dressed to himself. And in Marcia's handwritingi His heart began to beat wildly. Could 1t be-he was inter rupted. He knew not why. but with almost eager haste he closed the book, thrusting the letter into his pocket. Marcia entered the room.
 They became almost jolly over the package of presents he had brought for the little ones. They spoke of old friends, of the New Years eve only a few hours distant Would he stay to tea and later join her sister and her husband in a skating partyf
 Bruce Teiford sat in a strange glow as later Marcia left him to direct preparations for tea. His hand stcle to the letter in his pocket. What might 1t not contain-her reply to his letter, so cruelty withered through three long. bitter yearsi
 "No." he said checking an impulse urged by a rare heart of hope-~1ater."
 It was like dream, the succeeding hour. as. he was greeted by the mem bers of the family, made to feel af home seated at the table with Mxrcia, nusheds radiant, kindly as always and more lovely than ever. hNEN ,
 New Years eve-how royalty the old church bells rangi A slide across the safe bound ice of the river, a deli dous moment as, all equipped, Mar cia's hand rested in his and they glided over the smooth. shining sur face as of yore.
 Half a mile from the others, in a swift sweep down the river, she stum- bled and he caught her in his arms and insisted on her resting on an old log. He seemed in some dream of delirfous delight, magic force i'm pelled him to speak at last.
 Miss Burton" he began.
 Surely we are old friends, Bruce" she interrupted, with reproachful wistfulness. .u
 "Yes, Marcia" he corrected himself 'T have a letter found in a book at your home. Was 1t an answer to my own in that long agoY and the words that explained all came from his lips in impetuous rapidity. "See, have not opened it." he added.
 He rendered it to her. Her face had grown colorless, but only from the startling discovery of the delayed