The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-05-30

to think, and (would you believe it p
trying to pray, for it was great strug-
gle, and in any great struggle true soul
always finds something very. like prayer
in his heart
The feeling of love may exist without
attracting the attention of its possessor.
1t had not occurred to John that he could
love or marry Huldah. Thus the passion
had grown all the more powerful for not
being observed, and now the unseen fire
had at fash appeared as an all consum-
ing one.
Turning back he stood without the
window, in the shadow, and looked
through the glass at the trim girl at work
with her pies. In the modest restful
face he read the story Of heart that had
carried great burdens patiently and nobly.
What a glorious picture she was of
warmth and light, framed in modesty.
10 his heart at that moment, all the light
and warmth of the world centered in HUI
dah. All the world besides was loneli-
ness and darkness and drizzle and slush.
His fear of his sister and of his friends
seemed base and cowardly. And the
moro he looked at this vision of the night
this revelation Of peace and love and
light, the more he was determined to
possess it. You will call him precipitate.
But when all mans nobility is on one
side and all his meanness on the other,
why hesitate? Besides, John Harlow had
done more thinking in that half-hour
than most men do in month.
The vision had vanished from the win
dow and he went in and sat down. She
had, by this time, put in the last pie, and
was sitting with her head on her hand.
The candle fickered and went out, and
there was only the weird and ruddy fire.
light. | cannot tell you what words pass
ed between John and the surprised HUI
dah who had thought him already be-
trothed to Miss Dunton. | cannot tell
what was said in the light of that fire; l
don't suppose Harlow can tell that story
himself.
Huldah asked that he should not say
anything about it till his sister was gone.
OF course John saw that she asked it for
his sake. But his own cowardice was
glad of the shelter.
Next day brother of Johns (whom
| forgot to mention before) came home
from college. Mrs. Holmes husband ar
rived unexpectedly. Aunt Judith, with
her family, came over at dinner-time, so
that there was large and merry party.
Two hearts, at least, joined in the dea-
cons thanksgiving prayer with much fer
| ynr A tba fnhlo tha Jinnar yuac Ynunb
admired.
Huldah," said Janet Dunton, " I like
your pies. L wish could hire you to go
to Boston Our cook never does so well. "
John saw the well-aimed shaft hidden
under this compliment, and all his man
hood rallied. As soon as he could be
sure of himself he said:
You cannot have Huldah she is a.
ready engaged"
How's that 7" said Aunt Judith.
90 I've secured her services, said John,
"What" " said Mrs. Holmes, Cen
gagged your-your-your help before you
engaged a wife p
"Not at all, y said John; " engaged my
help and my wife in one. l hope that
Iluluuu uduucIS Will uC ltuluai llaiAO"
by Christmas"
The Deacon dropped his knife and fork
and dropped his lower jaw and stared.
"What How What did you say John =
81 say, father, that this good girl
Huldah is to be my wife"
John p gasped the old man, getting
to his feet and reaching his hand across
the table," you've got plenty of sense if
you do wear moustache? God bless you
my boy there amt no better woman here
nor in New York nor anywhere than HUI
dah. God bless you both. l was afraid
you'd take different road through"
"Hurrah for our Huldah and our
John," said George Harlow, the college
boy, and his brothers joined him. Even
the little Holmes children hurrahed
Here the Judge stopped
"Well," said Irene, 81 don't think it
l was very nice in him to marry the help
+ do you father ?"
"Indeed, do" said the Judge, with
emphasis.
+" Did she ever come to understand En-
, erSon 7" asked Anna, who detested the
: Concord philosopher because she could
not understand him.
l "Indeed | don't know" said the Judge
"you can ask Huldah yourself"
= "WhoI WHAT You don't mean that
!, mother is Huldah?"
9 1t was cry in concert.
$ Mother was little red in the face