The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-12-13

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is this that this love-making business has
got to stop. won't tolerate Thomas Cas-
tlewynne's presumptuous attentions-no
not for another day. I'll pack up and leave
Merrifeld sooner, Do you hear mo Ell
frida ?"
eyes, aunt Betsey, hear YOU"
every well, then, I'll trouble you to
heed as well. Perhaps you think 1 didn't
see you lingering on the very threshold of
their door this morning, talking nonsense
about the trumpery and wild roses you had
been gathering. On the the threshold of a
young mans room Elfrida don't know
what you are coming to-"
"But Aunty, the door was wide open,
and Mrs. Glen was in the hall, and Isabella
Raymond, and Major Parkers daugh-
terS-"
-" l don't care whether the twelve tribes
of Israel were there, it makes it none the
less improper for you''-and here aunt
Betsey rolled up her eyes in a fearful cata-
leptic man ner. "Now stop dropping those
big tears over the turkey red joining of
that quilt never saw such baby in my
life-never.
What a relief it was to poor hunted lit
tie Elfrida when Miss Major Parker came
in, with her stiff rustling silks and her
basket of knitting work, and she was al
lowed to steal away into the inner room,
with pricked finger, aching spinal column,
and eyes yet dewey with tears.
"I'll be married as soon as ever | can"
thought Ellie with an indignant pout of
the cherry lips. If thought I should ever
be an old maid, like aunt Betsey, I'd jump
into the river, would.
And Ellie crept away for walk, low
spirited enough.
The afternoon was well advanced before
Miss Parker departed and Miss Whistle
ton politely seeing her to the door, stood
looking after her portly form.
81 wonder where Elfrida has gone to-"
pondered the spinster aunt "Down in
the grove flirting with that odious Castle
wynne. I've no doubt-dear me, what trials
girls are. Castlewynne's out somewhere,
know for the door of his room is half open.
/ wonder"
Miss Betsey Whistleton stretched her
long neck seriously toward the neighbor-
ing apartment but there was not a soul
in sight.
81 don't really believe they change
notes." said Miss Whistleton, "but if they
did--and it's really very excellent oppor-
tunity-"
She paused again and listened still no
sound, save stray footsteps in the hall.
81 think it's my duty" said Miss Betsy,
setting her colorless lips tight together,
and advancing on tiptoe into the apartment
of Messrs. Castlewynne and Ermine.
81 never was ina mans room before"
thought the lady with little bride and a
simper. "Dear me, what variety of
boots and slippers, right in the middle of
the floor. Is this brandy and water? No,
it's lemonade-and box full of cigars as
live, and novel. Oh, the depravity of
young men. really hope 1 won't be con-
taminated by the awful atmosphere. And
what's this curious wooden thingP Oh,
suppose it must be boot,jack. A dressing
case, too, with chased silver shoppers to all
the bottles-dear me, this cologne is really
very nice. l wish had brought that
empty paregoric bottle along with me;
don't believe they'd ever miss a few drops.
Pink pomatum, as live and breathe-and
housewife" all fitted up with needles
and thread. My goodness, me, if it isn't
lined with the very brocade silk that be-
longed to my grandmother's wedding dress.
thought that pattern came short when
measured it, to make a silk quilted skirt
co believe Elfrida took it to make this
piece of folly and nonsense with"
Miss Whistleton elevated her eyes and
hands with pious horror.
| "Two whole inches. wonder If Ell