The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-06-04

thank me, for he is as proud as Lucifer,
and as poor as a church mouse; and he
would not offer himself to the beautiful
heiress, Grace Thatcher, for any earthly
consideration; and to see the way he stands
and gazes at her in any party where they
chance to meet, is enough to give one the
blues No, no I'll settle your business,
sir,." And snatching up pen, a few mo-
ments suficed to make another copy of
Grace's note, the only alteration being that
Grace's and Mr.. Fairfax's names were sub
stituted for those of Lily and Harry Archer.
This missive being duly posted, she impa-
tiently awaited the next evening.
Before accompanying her to Mrs. Gray's
however, let us take one more look at Lily
Atherton. Her friends had remained sew
ing until nearly dark, and on their depar-
ture she had joined her mother at the tea
table. Soon after that meal was over Mr..
Archer was announced, and from his recep-
tion by both ladies, it was evident that he
was frequent and welcome guest. The
truth was, that he had been for months
Lily's accepted suitor; but owing to her
having been in mourning for her father, the
engagement had been kept strictly private.
Now that Lily had begun once more to
mingle in society, further concealment was
not cared for, and the marriage was soon
to take place.
Mr.. Archer seemed rather more sedate
than usual, and in the pauses of conversa-
tion, idly turned the leaves of Lily's auto
graph album. Suddenly his face lighted
up, ard drawing note from his pocket,
he eagerly compared the writing it contain
ed with one of the autographs.
"What interests you SO much, Harry ?"
asked Lily, coming to his side. "May
see?"
" Yes, you may now, though had not
discovered the author, you should not, {"
said Archer, handing her the note which my
readers will readily divine was the one cop
led for Grace by Belle.
Lily's face flushed Indignantly as she
read.
CO. how could they do such thing %
she exclaimed. "Surely, Harry, you did
not believe knew anything of it ?" she
asked, anxiously.
"No indeed, dearest. / know you too
well for that and besides, it is evidently
written by one who knew nothing of our
engagement. But confess it annoyed me
to think that any one should thus meddle
with our private affairs and was vainly
trying to think who it could be, when
saw Belle Morton's autograph here, and
recognized the very peculiar writing"
Lily explained Grace's plan of the after
noon, and expressed her belief that she also
had some share in this letter.
"They will watch us closely tomorrow
evening Lily" said Harry. "Suppose we
stroll into the conservatory about eleven
o'clock and confront the conspirators."
To this Lilly agreed.
Mrs. Gray's party was most brilliant
affair, and the crowd of guest SO great that
Grace and Belle did not meet until Just be-
fore eleven o'clock.
"Are you bound for the conservatory
?" whispered her friend, with mis-
chiovous look in her eyes.
, eyes" replied Grace. "They are botf
here, and 1t is almost time, so Gu reuOir. )
, And she moved hastily away.
"That's all right soliloquised Belle, "foi
Edward Fairfax has been there for tel
minutes past. When peeped in he wal
reading over the note, and, unless I'm
,,,uoh ,,,;staLay ,raaainn, ~ 70 HE I;ns
But must get where can see them"
Grace, in the meantime, had passed
t swiftly through the conservatory until sh'
+ came TO a beautiful fountain, near which
q was q seat so surrounded by tall orang'
trees and oleanders that she thought sh'
I would be effectually screened from obser
Q vation. To her surprise, however, the sea
/. was already occupied, and by Edward
9 Fairfax
Hastily springing to her side, he exclaim
S ed in low impassioned tones
: "Dearest Grace, how can I ever thanl
t you for your generous ayowal of love? Hat
our positions been differentiated l beei
Q rich and influential, instead Of poor al
: tist, should not have been pleased to hav
o the offer come from you; but as it is, cal
only strive by lifelong devotion to repa
: the sacrifice that this confession must hav
6 been to you" And as he concluded, h
!, drew her fondly to him and stopped to i'm
n print kiss on her lips; but Grace was to
d quick for him, and starting back, cried
@ "I do not understand you, Mr.. Fairfax