The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-03-12
old lawyer was trying to dodge the ques-
tion.

inc neCeSSlJy, tne ulBn TeRdru CuerlSn IOl
your ward, and the knowledge that shal
be unable, at least for some years, to offer
her such a home as she is accustomed tC
and merits, demand the sundering of oul
engagement"
"That is to say, in plain English, my
ward, having lost her fortune, Mr.. Wells
no longer desires to marry her."
In spite of all his efforts, Mr.. Wells felt
his cheeks tingle beneath the quiet scorn in
the eyes that rested upon his countenance.
You put it rather haishly," he said,
forcing smile; "but we won't quarrel
about terms"
every good. All have to say is, that
what you are pleased TO term Miss Meals s
misfortune, promises to be the best thing
that could happen her.-Good morning.
When Mr.. Thonly saw his ward again,
in the evening, his countenance wore Gu
rious expression.
"Ihave important news for you Ellen;
one portion of it, rather bad, but the other
so good as to more than make up for it. In
deed, as | told certain young man this
morning, I consider it the best thing that
could possibly happen to you. First, for
the bad; the bank, in which your money
was invested, has gone up, and wont prob
ably pay two cents on dollar. Now for
the good; in consequence of this, Mr.. Fred
erick Wells called to express his regrets,
that he must relinquish the honor and hap
piness of making you his wife"
=" Is it possible?" exclaimed Ellen
elbow have been deceived in him. |
thought he loved me for myself alone. o,
Mr.. ThoInly, how thankful ought to be
that have discovered how false his heart
is, before it was too late"
"Mr. Hayden is in the parlor and wants
to see Miss Ellen" said n servant opening
the door.
Ellen entered the parlor in rather per-
turbed state of mind; much as she reioiced
grieved at this discovery of the mworhi-
ness of him, whom she had hitherto es-
teemed so highly as to often rep,oach her.
self that she could not love him as he
deserved.
Mr.. Haydens mind was, also, much dis
turbed though from a very different
cause.
1t was in vain that young gentleman
tried to recall the neat little speech, that
he had conned over on his way to the
house; as is usual in snch cases, it conf
pletely vanished from his mind as soon as
he found himself in the presence of the lady,
for whose benefit it was intended.
At last, making desperate effort he
broke the rather embarrassing silence by
saying:
my dear Miss Neal, have heard of your
loss of fortune, and cannot express what n
great burthen it lifted from my heart. I
was so truly rejoicsd, as to quite for
get"
Here, startled by the indignant astonish-
ment depicted upon Ellen's countenance,
the poor fellow stammered, and then stop
ped.
"Sir-Mr. Hayden" faltered Ellen,
deeply wounded at language so different
from what she had anticipated. ~ am
at loss to understand why you should re-
ioice over my misfortune
"Dear one, know it is very selfish in
me, and yet was never half 40 happy in
my life as hen learned that ! might,
without being accused of unworthy motives,
tell you what privilege / should deem it
to cherish and care for you, as man cher
ishes and cares for the dearest object of his
love"
The sudden revolution of feeling, caused
by these words, sent warm, happy tears
TO Ellen's eyes.
81 thank heaven for the reverse of for
tune that has given me the rich treasure of
your love-" she murmured, as she laid her
hand softly in his.
Half an hour later, the lovers were receiv-
ing the congratulations, and the warm ap-
proval of Ellen's guardian.
The old gentleman listened silently, and
with evident enjoyment to the plans they
laid for the future.
"I am sorry to spoil your pretty romance
of Love in Cottage and all that sort
of thing, he SAID at last, "but the fact
is, Ellen---though, as told you, your for
tune was invested in the Bolton bank--I
happened to withdraw the money the week
before it failed.-But don't be downheart-
cd about it, my young friends, yOu'll find
plenty of people who will gladly relieve you
of its burthen. If you can't dispose of it
in any other way, you might donate it to