The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-03-07

But he did not die. He lived to
prove his penitence sincere and HEARTFELT
to be the comfort and support of the
widowed mother, whose staff in life had
been so violently but innocently removed
through his means.
We remained at the rancho a week af-
ter the funeral of our lamented host, and
by that time were we'll assured of Juans
ultimate recovery. On the morning fix
ed for our departure, l said to Ned,
whose JOY at his providentially restored
reputation was only calmed into quiet by
the melancholy events that had trans
pired:
"Poor Carlota needs now all the COM
fort and consolation you can give. [ sup
pose, of course, Ned, you have made
known your sentiments and given her the
assurance of having still protector for
her gentleness."
81 have been waiting this long time
the opportunity" he answered earnestly
" Dear girl l scarcely dared speak of it
after this terrible shock. "But there
she is in the garden. I will go this very
moment" And away he dashed from
my sight.
1 rose from my chair, closed my lips
grimly, and folding my arms across my
palpitating heart, walked to and fro with
a sickly, dreary wish that | had never
been born, never left the dear New Eng
land hills, never seen California or Car
lota, or, most of all, Ned Wilkins. |
walked thus to and fro, what seemed an
interminable time, almost fearing | should
go mad with the whirling tumult of my
brain.
At length heard his returning step
at the door. caught up the note book
on my dressing case. | would have an
excuse for not beholding his radiant face,
his smiling, lover lips, fresh from the first
pure kiss of betrothal. He came in
slowly, and sat down without single
word.
"Too happy for speech, lost in blissful
dreams" thought [, still without raising
my eyes. A deep-drawn sigh startled
me. l looked up instantly.
"Why, Ned Wilkins, what has hap
pened?"
Nothing, nothing" groaned he clench-
ing his hand madly in his curly brown
hair, "only she is an angel, and | am a
fool She does not love me--she has re-
jected me !"
"But, Ned" stammered 1, II don't
understand it. l thought"
"Yes, so did l. And | believe it was
you first made me so presumptuous. But
we were both wrong She don't love me,
and worse yet, she acknowledges that she
loves another She would not tell me
who, but"
did not wait for the completion of
his sentence. Three minutes more and l
stood beside Carlota who was weeping
bitterly, in the garden.
"Carlota," whispered !, softly, "you
have refused Ned. viii you have no
pity on me?"
The wet, shadowy, lustrous eyes glanc-
ed up shyly into my face. A drift Of rose
leaves whirled across the pallid cheek
and-O, reader, have you seen a drown
ing wretch, just as the last despairing
snatch at safety failed him, suddenly lift
ed up in security upon the stout deck of
friendly wrecking craft? Have you
ever beheld a starving beggar, after the
angry refusal of a miserly proprietor
clutch the white loaf slipped in his hand
by the gentle-hearted wife? Have you
watched feverishly for morning, and in
moaning anguish believed only deeper
darkness upon you, when suddenly the
black banner which yelled Auroras face
was cast aside and the rosy fushes of
dawn kindled about you?
Then do you know something of the
ecstatic joy which filed my heart just
when, with the bitterest remuneration, |
had put away forever, as | believed,
sweet loves holy joys and ministering
blessings, for-Carotta loved me!
Yes, but when l returned to the house,
what would ] not have given to have es-
capped poor Neds reproachful eyes? His
good name was restored, his law-case at
rest, since | had forwarded to Alden, by
Sam, Juan's confession and the und imin-
ished gold, but what would the whole
world avail for the loss of Carlota? So
l reasoned, though Carlota laughed
lightly, promising the wound would soon
heal with one of his volatile, elastic tenn
permanent And sure enough, only a
year after our marriage he came to our
house in San Francisco with wee blue
eyed, fair. haired New England importa-
ton on his arm to introduce to Carlottu
as-Mrs. wilkins.