The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-05-02

small garden, at the end of which there was
narrow creek, an inlet from the pretty
river that flowed through Nasbury. BY
and by Mr.. Comberford took to approach
ing the house by this way. He was an
expert waterman, and spent good deal
of his time on the river. So it was an easy
an natural thing for him to moor his boat
at the bottom of George Hartfeld's garden
and step lightly on shore. He always
found Alice in her sitting and he
found look in her face which told him his
visits were not unwelcome. He was thor
ough man of the world, and knew the dan
ger of the game he was playing, nor did
lie yield without a struggle to the tempta-
tion that had overtaken him. Such heart
as he had, was hit arder than it had been
of late years. The outside world of Nor
bury had not yet been awakened to the
scandal of Mr.. Comberford's frequent Wis
its to the lawyers house, nor was the law
yer himself alarmed by them; but the
younger clerks were quick to remark upon
the length and frequency of these morning
calls and on George Hartfeld's blindness to
the fact.
Edgar Comberford had been settled in
the hall for six months, when George
fairfield had occasion to go to Paris on
business. He had intended to take his
wife with him for the trip, but the weather
was sultry and oppressive, and he went
alone. Mrs. fairfield seemed very little
disappointed by this change in his plans.
Mr.. Comberford had assured her that Paris
was utterly unbearable in July. 1t was
upon his business that George fairfield
was engaged. He went to make settle
ment with Partisan money-lender who
had advanced money to the young man in
the days Of his insolvency, and who now
put in an exorbitant claim for the interest.
The first day of Mr. Hartfeld's a bsence
went by without any visit from Mr.. Com
berford; but in the evening, when the
clerks were gone and Alice was sitting
alone and very low-spirited, the peculiar
sound of the boat grating against the wood
work at the bottom of the garden struck
upon her ear, and brought a sudden blush
into her checks. She looked up with a
movement of surprise as Edgar Comberford
came across the garden. He came in at
open window with the air of person who
had perfect right to be there, and seated
himself opposite, Alice at the little table
where she was drinking tea.
81 thought you would give me cup of
tea after my row, Mrs. Hartfield," he said,
"and could not pass the creek without
begging for one. l dreaded going home to
the desolations of the Hall-dreary, empty
rooms and cross old housekeeper. think
l shall go back to Mexico before the year
is out"
Alice gave little start.
"What p she said ''leave the Hall
forever?'
In all probabilities forever. A man
seldom comes here second time from such
a place as Mexico"
/" But why should you go back there
why should you get tired of the Hall so
soonP'
"Why should be tired of life altogeth-
er? Why should try to run away from
myself-from you ~
And then he went ON to speak of his
love for her-in dark hints rather than
plain words. She tried to reprove him ; to
show that she was angry, but the attempt
was a very feeble one. She could only in
sist that he should leave her Immediately.
He did leave her, but not Immediately, and
not till she had changed resistance into
piteous entroaty.
The boat had scarcely shot away in the
twilight when the door between the sitting
room and the Office opened, and the old
clerk, Morgan, appeared on the threshold.
"You here, Mr.. Morganp' exclaimed
Alice, making vain attempt to conceal
her tears; 81 thought all the clerks had
gone"
"I had some letters to copy, Mrs. Hart
field. Can do anything in the town for
you to-night?'
Nothing, thank you"
He fingered, twisting the brim of his
shabby old hat round in his thin, wrinlxled
hands.
"I wish to Heaven might speak to you
freely" he said, at last, "without Offend
ing or wounding you"
"About what?'
"About the man who has just left you p"
"Mr. Comberford, my husband s friend?"
"Youi husbands direct, deadliest foe
and yours" answered the the old man,
| passionately.