The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-09-27

to enter the ball. | waited with Susie un-
til her mother had gone out upon the outer
gallery, vainly hoping that the long sought
for moment had arrived. But scarcely had
her mother disappeared when the young
lady announced her intention of climbing
the ball, whereupon the of1icious Dick ran
up the ladder to assist her. When they
both had succeeded in entering that sitting
den-where no man of sense willingly pla-
ced himself-she cried out that no one else
was to come up ON any account, for she
was afraid the ball would break loose
under any additional weight. was thus
forced to stay at the foot of the ladder
while they remained in the ball, engaged
during what seemed to me an intolerable
| length of time-in an animated conversa-
ton, conducted in q tone so low that 1
could not hear a single word that was
said.
| When they finally descended, Susie's face
was flushed--by heat of the place she said
while Dick looked uncommonly grave,
and gnawed his moustache with nervous
dissatisfied air. Had he been any one else
the Rev. Mr.. Smiley for example,
should have believed that he had offered
himself to Susie and been rejected but
being simply the penniless vagabond that
he was, the idea of any such conduct on his
part was too ridiculous to be entertained for
a moment
At last we turned to descend to the roof
and / saw that the moment for me to
press my intentions toward Susie had ar
rived. Lingering dexterously in the rear
until the widow and clergyman were safely
out of sight, 1 led Susie out upon the gal,
lery under the pretext of showing her a
part of the landscape which she had not
noticed. AS we leaned over the railing, /
looked around to make sure that Dick was
out of sight, and then began "My dear
Miss Susan, have something to say to
YOU"
She looked at me a moment with startled
eyes, and then putting her hands together
with an imploring little gesture, she cried
"Oh please don't ~
"Don't what?' asked ], quite puzzled by
her conduct.
"Don't please say anything l mean
don't oh just look what a pretty flower
How 1 wish had it."
The child was evidently confused and
frightened was about to explain my
self more fully, when Dick appeared upor
the scene, carrying upon his arm a shaw
belonging to some one Of the party, ant
asked what was the matter.
"That beautiful little pink flower ther,
on the dome," she answered." if / coult
only reach it"'
, "You shall have it," he replied; anC
then tossing one end of the shawl to me
with the request that would hold on to i
, he seized the other end and was over til,
E railing and sliding down the slippery sur
face of the dome before | knew well wha
was his intention.
The flower was growing on a little pro
f lection not more than twelve feet below us
) Dick, however, had placed himself in
f horribly dangerous position; although h
I could remain for time resting with on
foot on this projection, it was impossibl
Y for him to gain the gallery without the ali
g of the shawl to which he was clingine
: He paid not particle of attention to m,
I peremtory demand that he should com
I back at once, but, quietly seizing the tlowe
t and putting it temp orarily into his bosor
he looked up to Susie, who was watcl
: ing him, silent with excess of terror, an
| said:
g "You know what I asked you just now
c VIII you promise?'
;, She only replied "Come back, Mr.. Fa
u rel, do, please. You frighten me
e death ~
/ "Susie," returned the scoundrel, wit
N the utmost solemnity "unless you give n
n the promise this moment, will let go IL
% shawl, for don't care straw for IL
TO life.'