The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-08-15
Proposing for a Husband.

Flora and | covered together in the
parlor, more and mere frightened as the
hours went by. Our house was lone
country mansion several miles from the
county-town, and we were quite alone, all
the family including even the servants,
having gone to the annual fair, and in-
tending to stay till morning.
81 never heard such strange sounds"
l said. "Surely that was somebody on
the stoop just now"
Nonsense" cried Flora, locking about
nervously, however.
" 1t was only two nights ago." l re-
piled, "that Mr.. Browns house was rob-
bed. They do say" and here my voice
fell to whisper, "that an organized band
of thieves is going round the country.
" Mercy!" cried Flora, turning deadly
pale, "suppose they come here. What's
to be done? Hadn't we better go over
to cousin Bells?
"What at this time of night. Moth
ing would tempt me" ... .. .f.
"This is a punishment for refusing
cousin SAM" said Flora. "If you had
only behaved nationally, we could have
had one of the servants from Elmwood to
stay with us. But 1 suppose cousin Bell,
is so angry at the way in which you
have treated her son, that she will never
speak to us again"
l had no reply to make. [ already, in
my heart, regretted the coquetry which
had made me refuse cousin Sam but was
too proud to admit it to any one else.
To turn the conversation, and endeavor
to inspire Flora as well as myself with
courage, 1 went to the piano. But before
/ could strike note, my attention was
arrested by grating sound, that seemed
to come from under the floor. / glanced
at Flora. She was trembling from head
to foot.
"Oh Rosew she whispered, "some
one is getting into the cellar. We shall
be murdered" and she wrung her hands
helplessly.
We both listened. But l heard moth
ing but the beating of my heart. was
not naturally a coward, and my resolution
was taken at once,
"Flora" whispered, you bang
away at the piano, SO that if there is any
one below the stairs, he will not suspect
that we have heard him. 1 will go and
listen at the cellar-door."
went through the long, dark entry,
to all outward appearance bravely enough
but expecting every step to be knocked on
the head. At last / reached the kitchen.
Putting one ear to the trap door, that led
into the cellar, listened. But heard
only Flora playing on the piano, the gate
banging and slamming, and the old oak
breaking in the gale, and knocking its
branches against the house.
"What towards we are, after ALL" l
said to myself, boldly raising the trap
door, and peering down into the cellar.
l could see nothing, but the air smelt of
rain. i.. $50. $40, nfa
Gone of the windows must be Open"
| said. {" hear the rain dashing in.
That explains the queer noise"
l descended the stairs, intending to
shut the window Gradually my eyes
became more and more accustomed to the
darkness, When l reached the bottom
of the steps, turned around to look for
the window. Great heavens !! it was not
there i .l H
My heart stopped beating. | clung to
the cellar-steps As looked the window
re.opened, now plainly wide open,
stood staring at the patch of faint, gray
light for full minute, then, laughing
silently at my fears, and pcrsuading myself
that the shutters had blown to, and now
had blown open again, I advanced, intend
ing to fasten the shutters securely. ]
had gone more than half way across the
cellar, following the wall, then the win
dow was obscured again, and gruff voice
cried, Z" Here, lend fellow hand" Al
the same moment, saw burly form
creep through the window My knees
now absolutely gave way under me, as al
other voice behind me, answered, "Wt
had better wait till the family go to bed.
In moment, however, recovered my
self, and turned to fly up stairs, even a
the risk of being caught by the rufliar
behind me. But before could move
step, the trap-door fell with bang, anC
l knew was shut in hopelessly with two
if not more, burglars. a
There was horrible silence. But 70
the support the wall gave me, | woulc
have sunk to the ground. Directly on
of the rufians tried to light match.
heard the scrape on his boot, and saw tn
fame for the moment but fortunately tn
wind blew it out. The imminent peri
gave me sudden strength. To attemnt +