The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-10-03

Morpheusv' said Trevor, little contemptu-
ously. 81 can't afford to lose the brig ht-
est hours Of a golden day like this"
And, parting the overhanging bushes of
the hazel copse with both hands, he van
ished out of the green little dell and went
his way, leaving Ralph Dewey to dream in
| SYLVAN solitude.
Our hero had not lain there many min
utes, however, before the soft chime of girl
voices sounded through the tiny bugles of
summer insects and the monotonous mur-
mur of the green boughs overhead.
Girls-Tgirls ~ muttered MI. Dewey,
indistinctly can't fellow be clear of
them anywhere But they are on the 9TH
er side of the copse, that's one blessing, and
if keep quiet they will never beat up my
ambush"
They were on the other side of the copse
three bright haired and bright faced girls
in white, fluttering raiment, with much
CLEAN of ribbons and sparkle of rings and
feminine gewgaws.
"It's so delightfully."- cool here" said
llliuOiBlduO ny hhOi, u Ian plOhuOj 40 pdA-
on as her name.
"And one can talk here" said Mary
Bell. CAT the hotel with promenaders on
the piazza and the partition walls being as
thin as paper, one is never certain of not
being overheard"
Mr.. Dewey gave silent inward chuckle
just at this juncture. If "walls have ears,
so have hazel hedges occasionally.
Fanny White leaning against the twisted
stem of veteran old wild-grape vine, ,devo-
ted her whole attention to her parasol
handle.
She was the prettiest of the three, a dark
Andalusian looking gipsey, with deep
liquid brown eyes and hair black as the
blackest jet, while her skin, just touched
with the creamy tint that characterizes the
Creole, glowed carmine on either check
and her lovely rose of mouth, ripe and
red and roguish, gave expression to the
whole piquant face.
"Fanny, do let me try" said Hilder-
grade. at will be such splendid joke
and your English adorer is SO long in max
ing up his mind"
But-what will Captain Amyer think ?"
"He'll be delighted men always glory
in bit of spicy mischief, and Kent is such
splendid actor"
"Do, Fanny ~ argued Mary Bell.-"It
will be just for all the world like the thea
tire. Hildergrade's brother is to pretend
to be desperately in love with you, and you
are to encourage his attentions, until that
slow-moving Ralph Dewey is brought to
the proposing point, fairly maddened with
jealousy. How shall enjoy the progress
of the situation p and she clapped her
small plump hands gleefully.
But your brother must fully understand
the scheme" said Fanny hesitatingly.
"Of course Shan't explain it to him
myselfP There's not bit of harm in it,
Fanny, and Mr.. Dewey certainly needs
some stimulus of this kind. Now, Fanny do
consent Kent will be here this very even
ing"
"She don't forbid it, Hildergrade,"
eagerly cried Miss Bell, "and all the world
knows that silence gives consent. Come
don't you see how long the shadows are
getting and want to show you that
delicious little nook down by the river
shore. Besides, we can talk it all over so
nicely there"
And the three graces fiuttered down the
hillside, laughing and chattering as they
went.
No sooner had the last echo Of the
sweet voices died out ON the perfumed air
than Mr.. Dewey arose to his feet, and walk
ed deliberately out of his place of conceal
ment.
"My dear little girls" quoth he, by way
Of soliloquy, t" it is a very clever little plan
but it won't work. Forewarned is fore
armed" says the old adage, and I've no
doubt l shall enjoy it as much as Miss Mary
Bell proposes to do"
And Mr.. Ralph Dewey laughed aloud, to
think how completely he should outgeneral
his feminine adversaries, with their ally the
army officer, thrown into the bargain.
"I'll keep Fan in suspense another
month, just TO pay her for that y he furth-
ermore added within himself. 81 like the
girl well enough too--a bewitching little
elf, with the finest eyes ever saw but for
all that won't be hurried into matrimony.
Fanny shall wait my royal viii and pleas
ure ~
Knowing what he knew, therefore, Mr..