The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-06-18

the town where they were to part and go
their separate ways. They had left the
stage, and Miss Tucker stood on the piazza
of the public house, giving some directions
about her luggage, when Middleton. ap-
preached and, taking off his hat, addressed
her.
"Pardon me, he said, "if use too
great freedom You do not know me,
but have seen too many proofs of your
goodness to-day not to feel that | know
you. / see that you have kindly taken
under your protection the poor woman and
child who rode with u.s. and | am anxious
to share with you the pleasure of assisting
her. Here is small sum of money, which
you will oblige me by spending for her use
and card with my address. If at any
time can be of further service to her, you
will do me favor by letting me know"
The young woman took the card and the
crisp bank-note that accompanied it, and
expressed her thanks with a dash of en-
barrassment and timidity which she had
not before shown, but which Harvey thought
became her wonderfully.
"There is one more favor" he added,
with little hesitation, which would like
to ask of you. Would you object to give
me your address ?''
Not at ALL" she answered frankly and
gave it accordingly. He thanked her grave
ly, bowed again as he might have done to
duchess, and walked away The next day
he was in his Office at Boston, and she at
her busy, responsible post in great Lowell
mill.
For Just one week Middleton turned
things over in his mind The result was a
resolution and letter. The last was ad-
dressed to Miss Olympia Tucker and con-
tanned a distinct and straightforward pro-
posal of marriage. He recalled himself
modestly to the lady's recollection, referring
to the journey they had taken together, and
declared that the impression which she had
that day made upon him was such that he
ardently wished to journey through life in
her company. He told her who and what
he was, his family, business, and fortune
inclosed the addresses of several persons
LllJOuRu WHOUl Blu IL Blu WlShCuy
satisfy herself in regard to his character
and standing; and concluded with an
earnest request to visit her. The letter,
notwithstanding its abrupt and rather
business-like character, was gentlemanly
and respectful, and one which almost any
lady might feel flattered to receive.
When it was sent he waited in a veritable
fever Of impatience for the reply. A week,
almost another, elapsed before it CAME
He tore it open : his suit was rejected
The keenness of his disappointment al
most surprised himself. He had hardly
been aware how deeply his feelings and his
fancy were interested in this woman, whom
he had known but for one day, and who
had begun by offending his social preju-
dices and his fastidiousness almost to the
point of disgust. He took up her letter
and read it again. 1t was written some
what stiffiy, as if it had cost its author
good deal of trouble, and now and then a
word might not be spelled quite correctly ;
but it was a modest, womanly letter, digni-
fled from its very simplicity. She thanked
him sincerely for the compliment of his
preference, though she felt compelled to
decline his proposal. She had not done so
hastily she had considered his offer WELL
She did not affect to conceal from him that
it had strong temptations for her--a poor,
hard-working girl, struggling single-hand-
ed with the world. But she did not think
itwould be right for her to purchase ease
and enjoyment for herself in that way
She was not educated for the circle to
which he belonged, and If she were to take
him at his perhaps hasty word he might
regret it some day. Then, too, he had a
right to the love as we'll as the respect of
the woman whom he should make his wife;
and she could not pretend to give that to a
man whom week ago she had never
thought of in any such relation. She should
always feel grateful to him for the honor
he had intended her, and she wished him
all manner of prosperity and happiness
with some woman who would be bettel
suited to him than she.
Harvey read this letter over great man.
times. He thought he saw that it was no
so much any positive objection to himsel
which had decided her rejection of his sui
as the womanly shrinking from SO hasty al
arrangement with one whom she knew s
little. The naive confession that his offe
had been temptation touched him, He
life toas laborious and full of care; Their
.could be little brightness in IL. Yet whe