The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-16

suit him." with correctness and rapidity
which astonished:hi knowing that she
could not have seen it previously.
During this time, she had once or twice
risen, and looked out of the window as if
she thought she heard the carriage return
ing but finding herself mistaken, resumed
her seat.
Her little auditor for whose pleasure she
was evidently playing, after every piece re-
newed his entreaties for once more. He
now urged for song on Eva's harp. An
ME hesitated; but as he continued to plead,
after another glance from the window, she
went to the corner where the instrument
stood, uncovered it, sat down, and after
running her fingers over the strings COM
menced simple German song If her un-
known auditor was astonished before, his
astonishment was not lessened now. The
young girls voice naturally rich, sweet, and
full had evidently been highly cultivated;
and she sang with taste and feeling, play
ing with artistic skill, while the pure accent
of the German words evinced an extensive
knowledge of that language.
Willie could not prevail upon his sister
to sing again, much to Mr.. Kirkwood's dis
appointments and after she had covered the
harp, both left the room, leaving Mr.. Kirk
wood filled with admiration and wonder
ment.
He did not know of the one bright spot
in Annie's life-the three years, cleaning
up like flash of sunlight amid the dark
ness that preceded and followed, spent with
her fathers sister in distant city, where
the young ghl had found all the love, and
care, and appreciation denied her at home.
Her aunt surprised at her ignorance of all
accomplishments, on her own responsible
ty afforded her every advantage for i'm
provement. Her talent for music was dis
covered, and the best masters obtained, and
in which study her improvement was re-
markable. But death called away Annie S
one friend, and she returned home, SORROW
ing deeply for her whom she had SO many
reasons to mourn.
That Annie felt no disposition to display
the accomplishments in which she could not
but be conscious she far excelled Edith,
and which, therefore, would but increase
her annoyances and unhappiness, may be
inferred.
1t was only in the quiet of her own room
that she pursued her studies, while her
practice of music was necessarily irregular,
being confined to those periods when the
family were absent.
Mr.. Kirkwood saw Annie the next even
ing under more advantageous circumstances
than he had yet seen her. 1t was at large
party. She was dressed with exquisite taste,
and her dark hair was worn in broad braids,
arranged with the most artistic grace. He
thought her, in her calm, proud beauty,
far the most elegant girl present. He was
not alone in his admiration. Although she
declined dancing, she received marked at
tention from several of the most prominent
gentlemen present.
Mrs. Rathburn saw, with chagrin and dis
appointment, that while her brilliant Edith
numbered in her large crowd of admirers
the vain, the shallow, the trihing, the brain
less fashionist, those who surrounded the
disliked Annie, if less in number, were men
of mark, whose notice any girl would be
proud of obtaining.
The few attentions Mr.. Kirkwood rem
dered the first of the evening were so cold
ly received by the young girl that he did
not continue them. Piqued and offended,
he did not approach her again, but devoted
himself as much as he was able to Edith.
1t might be this is what Annie wished and
intended, for she knew that jealous eyes
were watching him, and felt no willingness
for his sake to undergo fresh annoyances.
Meanwhile, the days Of Mrs. Lothrop's
visit were passing. Mrs. Rathburn was
perplexed beyond measure, that she could
discoveranothing of the lady's intentions.
Nothing further had been said Of either
of the young ladies accompanying her
home; therefore the chances of either to be
the future heiress could not be conjectured.
With due efficacy and tact, she had con-
doled with Mrs. Lothrop on her disappoint-
msnt in losing her destined heir, and hint
ed that perhaps she found Mr.. Kirkwood
worthy of supplying his place. She had
ondeavored also to sound her concerning
her opinion of Edith and Eva, but perverse
Mrs. Lothrop would not be sounded. She
listened--if not assentingly certainly not
dissentingly-to the fond mothers asser-