The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-12-12

Bess he stopped and looked at her, put his
face close to her eyes, and so stood two or
three minutes. Then he beckoned to me,
and followed him till we were out of Bes-
sie's hearing, and he went on asking me all
sorts of questions about her, finally finish
ed off with saying 81 think the child
might be cured, for it is sort of cataraetl
q think that was what he said.) l was so
fustered like, did not know what to say,
and so said nothing. But he gave me this
ere little slip of paper, and said if we want
ed to see him there's where we'd find
him. ,..
"Did you ask him how much it would
cost ?" said Hilda. aH.
"O, yes, asked just that, and he said
something about fifty OF hundred dollars
Now, Hilda, child, this is what makes me
sick-sick at heart. I've tried and tried to
think of some way to raise the money, but
it's all of no use, and to-day I've given up
all hopes of ever doing it,"
1t was evening, and Hilda was seated in
her chamber The basket containing the
Invitation cards" stood before her, and in
her hand lay the two fifty dollar bills. 1t
was evident that a strong, serious struggle
was going on in her mind. She took up
one note after another, glanced at its con-
tents and let it fall into the basket. At
last she had the one she was searching for
1t was the one addressed to DIR. Norman
Wilder!' she looked at it long and ear
nestly. "No, no." she exclaimed, 81 can
not give it up! 1t will be my only chance
of becoming better acquainted with him,
as he leaves town next week. Then Lillian
Worth will have a party if 1 do not have
mine, and will stand better chance of
winning notice from him than l SHALL
The girls said they thought his attentions
equally divided between Lillian and myself,
but thought there was little more heart
in his notice of me! But Lillian is so much
more brilliant and beautiful than myself,
and besides an heiress, that think if eli
ther of us win the noble stranger it will be
her. No-no-I must not give up having
my party-but dear little Bess-yes-yes
/ will so here go the notes-Dr. Norman
Wilder, and all into the fire, and thus ends
my Thanksgiving party"
Doubtless my reader has promised what
was Hilda's motive in giving up her antici-
pated pleasure; and now that it was deci-
ded in her mind, there were no doubts
no repinings over her disappontment-fo
disappointment it was.
Father" she said, as she followed him
from the breakfast room the following
morning, 81 wish to talk with you mo-
ment."
''Well, what now, Hida ?" said Mr.
Howe, smoothing her brown hair from hel
forehead. " Did you find one hundred dol
lars did not defray your shopping expenses
yesterday ?"
"Oh, no, father, nothing of that sort
but just want to ask you if may do a,
/ please with the money you gave me?'
"Of course, love. have no wish to die
tate to you in this matter; but what put
this idea into your head?"
"Do not ask me, father have very
good reason for asking, and you will know
it some time, but not now.'
'Well, Hilda, as you please. But how
about that Thanksgiving party?'
"Ob, I've given that up, and please
father ask no questions y and Hilda glideC
from the room before he had time to an
swer.
, "Well, that is a strange freak, surely
what can the girl mean? never saw he
more anxious about thing than she hai
been about that party. Women and girl
are alike inexplicable . and here Mr.. How,
left the house, no wiser for his soliloquy.
: When Lillian Worth heard that Hildi
Howe's party was not TO come OFF, she a
once issued cards of invitation, as Hid;
had promised. A very brilliant affair i
! was to be, so said the young ladies, and fo
week it made busy tongues and bus,
hands. Hilda, though often importuneC
as to her reasons for giving up her anticipa
! ted party, kept her own counsel.
Hilda called to see the celebrated oculist
, and found him quite sanguine in his belle
> Of restoring sight to blind little Bess. II,
r informed her that he should wish the chilC
in the house with him during the operation
Y and for week or so afterwards and adde,
she must have cheerful female friend will
/ her.. The day set for Bess TO 90 wa
a Thanksgiving, and Hilda breathed a Low
0 sigh of disappointment, for she saw thi
a would prevent her attending Lillian Worth
Q party, and thus she should lose her last op