The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-10-29

many persons staying in cottages, held
impromptu receptions on their porticoes,
where, until about midnight, the merry
laugh and jest might be heard.
Eva threw herself into this whirl with
all the avidity that might be expected from
fresh, young girl; but beneath the light
form of her outer existence, there was an
undercurrent of something deeper and
more serious. The woman's heart that had
hitherto slumbered, was now awakened,
and, bitter thought by one who had only
quiet liking for her, and who would
probably never descend from his pedestal
to WOO any woman. Need we say that it
was Edmund Singleton who had made this
impression on her? She loved him with a
young girls first, pure, and warm affect
ion; but a sense of maidenly pride and
modesty made her guard her secret as
though it had been a crime; for it seemed
to her the most humiliating lot a woman
could endure, to have an unrequited love
known. She trusted with the vague,
sweet, implicit trust of youth, that time
would fulfil her hopes, and bring her to
the goal which now seemed SO far off.
AS autumn approached, Judge and Mrs.
Bernard became anxious to trya change :;
but so excessive was Eva's anxiety to re-
main at the White Sulphur till after the
last grand ball of the season, that they
consented to leave her under Mrs. Arm
strong's chaperonage, with the agreement,
that, after the ball, Mrs. Armstrong, Will
lie, and Eva, should join them at another
watering-place in the Virginia mountains.
Willie Armstrong, though really kind
hearted boy, was yet the plague of Evas
existence, SO inexhaustible were his modes
of teasing her. He would hide her jewel
case, put salt in her coffee, slip sugar in
her egg and play off variety of other
boyish and disagreeable jokes.
One evening, as Eva sat listlessly at her
window, servant handed in letter, ad-
dressed to herself. The handwriting was
strange, and she looked at it with a vague
flutter of expectation. She tore it open.
1t bore Edmund Singleton's signature, de-
clared his attachment to her, and begged
an immediate reply.
Trembling with joy and excitement, she
sat, for some time, unable to realize her
happiness. How bewilderingly delightful
it was. Yet it was strange, she thought,
that he should have locked up his affection
so carefully in his heart, never before hav-
ing given indication of it by word or look.
But then he was SO peculiar and reserved.
No matter. He was all her own now. She
seized pen and ink then paused, thinking
it would be unmaidenly to reply so quickly
but reading again the words, imploring
her to answer at once, and not keep him in
suspense, she wrote.
She told him she could not give posi-
tive answer before consulting with her par
ents but, knowing the estimation in which
they held him, she thought no opposition
from them need be feared; and then, though
the veil Of shyness still hung over her words
she said enough to show him that her
heart was wholly his. Calling servant,
she bade him carry the letter to Mr.. Sim
gleton. li ii
AS the servant approached Mr.. Single
toms cottage, he met Willie Armstrong,
who, catching a glimpse of the handwri-
ting, exclaimed,
"Did not Miss Bernard give yon that
letter." ia1H 3'o "a
eyes, sir, replied the man.
I" Then give it to me-" said Willie, i'm
petuously.
Z" 1t is MOTTO you. 1t is for Mr.. Edmund
Singleton" said the servant.
"Give it to me anyhow" said Willie.
~ am Miss Bernard's cousin, and she won't
mind. Here, I win pay you to give it to
me-" ''N Hd'l
Z" But can't do It," said the servant.
"Miss Bernard told me to give it to no one
but Mr.. Singleton" -
They We're now almost at Mr., Singleton's
threshold, and Willle's anxiety to get pos
session of the letter became excessive. The
contest was cut short, by Mr.. Singleton,
who opened the door, and asked what was
the matter?
Willie was in such an agony Of embar-
rassment, that he seemed unable to make
any explanation SO Mr.. Singleton took the
letter, and left Willie murmuring,, inoo-
herently, "it was but joke"
As Mr.. Singleton read the letter, look
OF bewilderment came over his face. Ex-
pressions Of amusement escaped his lips.
At length he dropped the letter from his
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