The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-11-14

fer it. feel friends support is pleasant
sometimes, even though it be not actually
needed"
"Never fear to ask support from me-
I'm afraid have been recreant to my trust
but have not meant to neglect you"
/ looked into her face to make the words
the more impressive, and saw a momentaly
quivering of her lashes. But she answered
steadily:
"You have always been very good to us,
Uncle Lemuel. There is nothing for which
you need reproach yourself"
And then, from side path, new actor
came upon the scene. This was lean,
wiry figure of a man /; his head like coffee
pot, with some nece ssary adaptations to the
human form divine his feet and hands
three sizes too large, according to the rule
of proportions; his entire self in fact, a
discrepancy, as it seemed to me. l felt
Edith's hand tremble upon my arm,as with
a series of rabbit-lil1e hops, he came mp
with us, and actually indulged in the famil-
iarity of tweaking her ear. To my sur
prise Edith expressed no resentment but
in quiet even tones presented "Mr. Chick
son."
$50 this is uncle Lem," squeaked the
newcomer, his tones about as musical as
those from cracked fiddle "Bess my
life! the old man isn't half such bear as
l expected. Edith, old girl, who is that
just going into the house with Isla?'
"It is friend of Uncle Lemuel," said
Edith, very family.
"a frieud Oh ! Mr.. Anonymous / sup
pose"
ellis name is Hartz."
"Hartz? go you one, now, that he's
your Saratoga top-knot The old love you
were, or maybe weren't, off with, before
getting on with the new. Give us kiss,
old girl"
" Edith, shall kick this fellow off the
grounds?" / demanded Strengthening my
self and feeling as belligerent in spirit as an
unadulterated Irishman.
"No, uncle Lemuel," she said submit
ting to be kissed by Mr.. Chigson, but look
ing as white as the dead. "I was thinking
of telling you before he came. We are en-
gagged"
There are situations in life when words
cannot do justice to the occasion; and this
was one. My first feeling was of anger; my
next of unbounded pity for my niece. If
her manner had been happier, might have
concluded that Mr. Chigson, repulsive as
he seemed, was possessed of redeeming
qualities. AS it was, could not believe
that she had accepted this mans adj
dress from choice. Why then?
In marriages of convenience, money is
usually the compelling power, but Edith
was herself wealthy heiress. Whatever
her motive, however, could read in her
white infexible face, that she would adhere
to her purpose, at any cost. Could nothing
be done the to rescue her from Mr. CHG
son? / would watch and wait, but her
manner left me little hope.
/ allowed my hand to be shaken in q con-
gratulatory manner by Mr.. Chigson, as if
were the engaged party instead of himself,
and saw look of relief come into Edith's
face, when it appeared that would accept
the situation quietly.
We were at the house door by this time.
Hartz and Isla had already gone in.--
Edith, when upon the threshold, gave one
despairing look out into the grounds, which
l interpreted into reluctance to face
meeting between Hartz and her betrothed
" 1t is pleasanter outside, Edith" / said
"Would you not prefer to &C in?'
But if the reluctance l conjectured had
existed it was already conquered.
"That, fear, would be rude to your
friend" she said leading on to the parlor
with resolute air, and when we were with
in, introducing Hartz and Chigson as if
both were everyday acquaintances.
Isa, too, was plainly intolerant of her sis
ter's lover and cast now and then dis
gusted, yet searching look upon Edith,
when some familiarity from the irrepressi-
BILE Chigson was allowed to go unrebuked.
From all that passed inferred that Isla
was, as yet, in ignorance of this previous
engagement, which thought as strange as
all the rest, knowing that in former days
the most perfect confidence had existed be-
tween these girls. AT any rate it would
not remain secret long, Judged, for Mr..
Chigson was much too well satisfied with
his position to let it 60 unprecedented.
With elements SO discordant 1t may be
supposed that we were not a very social
party. Isla's vivacity, indeed, redeemed us
from aheoluta ,lullnass Vet I couId 600