The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-03-26

yet l cannot let you leave me, uncertain of
your opinion of the course l ought to take
in this affair. 1t is possible you disapprove
of my marrying Rose under such circum-
stances?"
"No Harry do not see that you could
be expected to refuse such tempting pro-
posals; not every young man has such at
trihing in comparison with other consider
ations; but Harry" and Mr.. Emmerson
spoke with an earnestness which amounted
almost to solemnity, laying his hand upon
Hary's shoulder and looking gravely into
his face-"have you weighed we'll the inn
portance Of this step? Have you consider
ed that marriage is something more solemn
than pleasant acquaintance, that it is a
stern reality, requiring much forbearance
and self-renunciation, and if lacking these
wretched and intolerableP"
Mr.. Emmcrson paused, as if unable to
say more. Harry had never seen his friend
thus agitated before, and while it recalled
to his memory floating rumors Of his early
life, it touched his young heart to know
how deeply he must have suffered. He was
equally earnest when he spoke again.
"If Rose had been devoid of wealth she
would have been my wife before this, and
should have rejoiced in each struggle with
fortune for her dear sake. That her love is
equal to mine, her letter can prove. When
l can truly say that il will be the aim of
my life to cherish and guard her. may
not reasonably hope that our future may
be one of happiness?" he would have said
"that we may escape the misery and un-
happiness which fall to so many" but deli
cacy checked his words.
"God grant you peace p was the fervent
reply. "You have done much to cheer
my lonely life, Harry, and when you have
a wife and home to gladden. your own, you
must not forget your old friend, Harry, nor
allow the obliging and convenient Mr.. Pick
wick to be laid neglected upon the SHELF"
he added pleasantly.
"Mr. Emmerson, you do me great in
justice by the thought, and it is not like
you to doubt your friends. You must know
how warmly Rose and will always well
come you to our home, and how sacredly
we will cherish the remembrance of this
Kindness" Harry answered with emotion.
1t is little to remember; if your hap
piness is secured am we'll repaid. In re-
gard to others-I am quite Indifferent to
the opinion of Roses guardian or his son
but | must confess some scruples against
such design upon the Preceptress, Mrs.
} Rivington, believe you called her." and
Mr.. Emmerson spoke with hesitation. 81
fear such scheme against an unprotected
lady is scarcely consistent with the charac.
: ter of Mr.. Pickwick," he added, laughing
ly, as he parted from his friend.
If Harry Waltham, with the elasticity
of a youthful nature, buried his troubles il
the sweet oblivion of slumber that night
he was more fortunate than his friend
Long after the stones in the street below
ceased to echo the footsteps of the passing
crowd, Mr.. Emmerson paced his lonely
room. The incidents Of the afternoon had
disturbed his thoughts from their usua
: quiet course, and now, after hours of strug
gle, he still battled with an army of long
buried hopes and aflections;-each bitter
ness and transgression of the past standing
forth like an accusing foe. He paused a
last before an antique cabinet of rare value
and workmanship, unfastened the locks
and throwing open the doors, disclosed {
portrait set something after the manner o
an ancient shrine.
The beauty and life of the picture alone
were sufficient to betray careless observ
er into admiration but standing as the
only visible link between the desolation o
of the present and that past, of which {
part at least had been one of bewilderine
happiness, it was moro than priceless to thu
, lonely man who guarded it with misery
care. The canvas bore two figures =
!, A woman young and lovely, but little be
= yond girlhood;a roguish smile encircled hel
small mouth, but tender light shore il
her violet eyes, as she gazed upon the dim
pied laughing child in her arms. 1t wa
difficult to recognize the imperturbable bro
ker, in this sad agitated man, over whom
these pictures possessed such painful bu
irresistible fascination. The long years o
the past, which he had so jealously gualdet
, from prying eyes, memory with unsparinl
4 hand spread plainly before him, and afte
! years of repentance, it was more than Ia
. could bear unmoyed. ~
Vul.... NJ. I,...,,.a.,eo,, x,,o..,oI IT,. =