The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-09-12

not at home. He had gone to Philadelphia
to cash some heavy drafts, intending to
make some important alterations in the
mine, and wishing to place the money in
the local bank so as to have it ready when
wanted for use. 1t was quite large sum
nearly ten thousand dollars. They spoke
of it as mere trihe, and began to realize
that though my five thousand was large
sum in my eyes, in other eyes it might ap-
pear quite insignificant.
We grew very sociable together, and
felt quite at home. Edith took me out for
thought quite thriving place. The next
day she promised to take me into the mine.
We had delightful evening, devoted al
most entirely to music. Both sisters were
accomplished performers upon the piano,
and had voices of much power, well culti-
vated When I retired to the neat little
chamber allotted to me, which was up one
fight, and overlooked the river and the coal
hills, felt no inclination to sleep, but sat
long time by the window thinking of Edith.
1t appeared to me that heaven, in the very
outset of my career, had thrown this gentle
being in my way, to save me from an idle
and dissolute life and make man of me.
went to bed at last, to toss about and
dream of her by fits and starts, until morn
ing.
was up by daylight, and took long
ramble cover the hills and far away" be-
fore breakfast. l am great walker, and
always take good deal of pleasure in row.
ing through sylvan scenery. We inspect
ed the mine, as agreed upon, descending in
| to the bowels of the earth, where the grim
miners glided about, with their little lamps
fastened to their hats, looking like flre-tiies
| in the gloom. l shall not attempt to de-
scribe it; have not the space, and it
might not prove interesting if l did. This
used up the forenoon, and we returned to
the house with good appetite for dinner.
AS we drew near we observed Mrs. Briscoe
conversing with gentleman upon the YER
anda.
"I do believe there's that odious Alfred
Briscoe - exclaimed Edith, yexatiously.
"Why odious?' l asked covertly.
She Redeemed little as she turned away
her eyes from mine.
81 may as we'll tell you," she returned,
"for you will find it out soon enough now.
lie does me the honor to pay court to me,
and wishes to marry me-"
"The deuce he does ?" l exclaimed, un.
guardedly.
She turned her eyes full upon me with an
arch expression. 1t was my turn to color
then.
"Don't be alarmed" she said, demurely
"I don't intend to have him."
felt immeasurably relieved at this dec.
laration, and my face showed it, and she
smiled again. have often thought since
what strange pair of lovers we were. We
did all our counting with the eyes, and
seemed to have tacitly accepted each Other
at the first glance. l looked curiously at
Alfred Briscoe as we drew near, but his
back was towards us, and I could not SEE
his face. Mrs. Briscoe, who saw lis, evi-
IDENTIFY told him we were coming, for he
turned quickly around. .., ....
"Thunder r' exclaimed, involuntarily
and stopping short.
What's the matter?" cried Edith, turn
ing to me, and very much astonished a
this singular epithet, which was about AZ
near as man could come to swearing il
lady's presence. a. d tp
81 stepped upon a stone, and l do be
lieve have sprained my ancle," l answer
ed, as l stopped down and pretended to ex
anime the injured member. "No, it's al
right-only gave it twist" tt "H o.
tried my best to collect myself and ap
pear calm, but my brain was all in whirl
and was SO astonished that hardly knew
what was about. The recognition hat
been mutual, and he looked very bilious
as his eyes met mine. 1t would have beer
hard to say which was the most astonisheC
man of the two. This gentleman conver
sing with Mrs. Briscoe aoas Parks, Me sharp
er / had knocked dOlon in The supper-rOOm
I, in NeW York. 1t was not pleasant meet
ing upon either side. He certainly neve
, expected to meet me there, and 1certain.
ly never expected to meet him. And thi
was Alfred Briscoe. The initials A. B
upon the stone Of his ring We're no longe
mystery. fa
never felt more awkward in my life, but
, knew my best plan was to meet the affai
, boldly, and treat him as an entire stranger