The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-10-17
Gbe Gu1tes, New Bloonrhelo, pa.

our Clara"
"Grace," said the Major confdentially,
taking her hand in his, 81 want to tell
you something. It's very awkward, but
it isn't really my fault, and I'm sure
yeu'll forgive me, when you come to hear
how entirely have been the victim of
circumstances"
Grace's blue eyes grew big; her cherry
lips parted--what could it be /?
"Well," she calculated breathlessly.
4" I'm not cousin John at all |" said the
Major, with jerk. "It's mistake /
am Major Parkinson "
t-John-Milward p
"No, Tn nothing of the Sort" said
our Major, visibly Frightening up But
knew John Milward very we'll l came
over with him in the Ghundaree, and if
he's your cousin John, you've got a splen-
did fellow for cousin p ..H
And then the Major told Grace just
exactly how it all happened, and she
blushed and laughed aud wondered how
they could all have been so stupid, and
confessed that after all, she didn't think
he had been so very much to blame"
Except that you oughtn't to have
kissed me back so heartily" Grace added
maliciously. a
81 won't next time," said the Major
humbly.
But fifteen years in India-it would
of course alter any one so completely"
she said " and what can become of the
real John p
She conducted him back to the parlor,
where he made his excuses as fuently as
he could. Grandma was little inclined
to be offended at first, and Stephen, a
muscular young man, muttered some
half-inaudible words about punching the
Majors head for him. But fuller ex-
plantations restored friendly feeling once
more, and the pater-familias, sensible man,
insisted ON the Major remaining.
=" For if you are not our cousin John,
you came over in the same steamer with
him, and that ought to insure you a well
comc," he said cheerily $50 sit down,
sit down, Major You are the rich East
India nabob, then, who has bought the
house next door? We've teased Oracle
good deal about setting her cap for the
new neighbor, haven't we, Oracle 7"
Papa " demonstrated Oracle, coloring
up as bright scarlet as famingos
wing!
"I'm glad to make your acquaintance,
went on the comfortable old gentleman,
"even if the manner isn't quite so formal
as etiquette books insist on My name
is Corey-Peter Corey-and now let me
introduce you to our family circle and
friends !" ...
So in less than five minutes, the Major,
entirely set free from the trammels of his
false position, was made cordially at home,
in the merry party, and exceedingly snng
and jolly he found it"
Presently ring at the door-bell an
nounced new arrival, and the real gen.
uine &C usin John rushed in, all aglow
with his rapid walk, and dripping from
head to foot with rain.drops.
"Had no end of trouble at the custom
house with my luggage-couldn't come
second sooner, y he explained, hugging
Grandma and Clara, and Grace all at
once, with two or three little ones swarm
ing over his back and legs the while |!
"Why, halloa Major Parkinson. how
the deuce came yoO bere?' Then Of
course, ensued third edition of expla-
nations and comments, and then they
were merrier than ever.
"Of course the Major will stay here"
cried Mr.. Corey, when finally his guest
made move to go. "To-night, at least !"
"Of course" echoed John Milward
Mustn't he Grace p
He must do as he pleases," said that
young lady demurely. Hi'
Yes" said the Major, II will"
And he sat down again. Id "'
Major Parkinson attended the wedding
the next week, and he helped to decorate
the drawing-room with flowers, and he
carried chairs back and forth, and went
on errands, losing himself, invariably, on
the way, and he sent the bride solid
silver tea-seryice, and altogether he made
himself SO useful that Mrs Corey said,
feelingly:p rrl u1 .H .ll
"What shouM we have done without
that dear Major 2" e
Grace, the gypsy, insisted on calling
him cousin John just the same as ever
but from all appearance there will be
another wedding before the year is out
in the Corey family, and Major Parkin.
sons brown-stone house will be grGeed by
mistress who WAS first seen. by the