The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-09-06
THE DEACON'S CLOCK.
A Lover In q Fix.

Il just struck nine 1t was no gildod
Toy, no trife of bronze, orIalabaster, but a
tall, square, solid relic of the olden time
looking not unlike q coffin case set on
end, in the corner-a clock that had last
ed through one generation, and, to judge
from all appearance, was quite likely to
last through another Deacon Merritt
cherished that old time piece with a sort
of pride which he himself would scarcely
have confessed to.
There was a great ruddy fire of chest
nut logs in the wide red brick paved fire.
place, and the candles in the polished
brass stick were winking merrily from
the high wooden mantle, where they
shared the post of honor with broken
sea shell and plaster basket of improba-
bly, colored fruit. At the windows a
curtain of gaudy chintz shut out the
million stars of the frosty autumnal
night, and on the cozy rug of parti-col-
Dred rags, fat tortoise-shell cat purred
away the slowly lapsing minutes.
But the tortoise-shell cat was not the
only inhabitant of the snug farmhouse
kitchen.
"John w said Mehitable Merit, deci-
dedly, eff you don't behave yourself,
Pll-"
What she would do Hetty Merit did
not say-the sentence was terminated by
laugh that set the dimples round her
mouth in motion, just as beam of June
sunshine plays athwart cluster Of red
ripe cherries.
Hetty Merritt was just seventeen-a
plump, rosy girl, with jet-black hair,
brushed back from her forehead, and
perfectly arched eyebrows that gave a
bewitching expression of surprise to a
pair of melting hazel eyes. She was
rather dark, but the severest critic would
hardly have found fault with the peach
like bloom upon her her cheeks, and the
dewy red of her full, dainty-curved lips.
Evidently, Mr.. Aylmer was quite sat
isfed with Hetty's peculiar style Of
beauty.
"Come, Hetty," said John, moving
his chair where he could best watch the
freight upon her face, and picking up
the thread of conversation where he had
dropped it, when it became necessary for
Hetty to bid him behave himself
"You might promise. It's nine o'clock,
and your father will soon be home"
"Promise what, John ?" said Hetty,
demurely, fitting square of Turkey-red
patchwork to white one, and intently
observing the effect.
"Nonsense, Hatty; you know what
very well. Promise to marry me before
Christmas [ tell you what, Hetty it's
all very we'll for you to keep putting off,
but can't stand it, what with your faith
er's forbidding me the house, and Caleb
Truman's coming here every Saturday
night"
Hetty gave her pretty head toss,
GAS if Caleb Trunan's coming here
makes any difference in my feelings,
Johnw
"No, but, Hetty, it isn't pleasant, you
know. Pm as good man as Caleb Tru-
man, if don't own railroad shares, and
keep an account at Brigham Bank, and
love you, Hetty, from the very bottom
of my heart! Hetty, this matter lies
between me and you only-no other per-
son in the world has right to interfere
between us. Come, promise me !"
He held both her hands in his, and
looked into her liquid brown eyes.
"Do you love me, Hetty 7"
"You know [ love you, John"
"Then we may just as well-Hush
what chat ?"
There was a portentious sound Of draw
ing bolts and rafting latches in the porch
room beyond-a stamp of nailed boots
shaking off the dust of country roads
Hetty rose to her feet with sudden scar
let sufusing brow and checks.
ooh, John, it's father"
"Suppose it is !"
"But he mustn't find you here, John
Hide yourself somewhere, do !"
"What nonsense, Hetty" said the
youngman, ,resolutely standing his ground.
"I have not come here to steal his spoons
why should l steal away like detected
burglar ?"
'"For my sake, John. Oh, John, if
you have ever loved me, do as | say !
NOT in that closet II 10 too olosn m bis