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

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"Why would not do it ? and why is it
unmaidenly?" demanded Grace. "Of course
would not sign my name to such docu-
ment; but merely to write it, and have the
fun of seeing the gentleman go poking off
to keep their appointments, and no one
there to meet them, is no harm. Do you
think it is, girls?" she added, turning to
the group.
They, however, though not quite so de-
cided in their opinions as Lily, preferred
not to join in the sport; "they were afraid,
it might be found out" ETC., ETC., all but
Belle Morton, gay fun-loving girl, who
had been with Grace in all her schoolgirl
scrapes.
"I'm ready, Grace" she said. "'I
never will desert Mr.. Micawber;" in other
words, I'll help you as usual, in that or
anything else, for the sake of a frolic."
"Come home with me them" cried
Grace, "and we'll work out the details of
our plot alone, so as not to shock this puri-
tanical company. Good-by, girls" she
continued, gayly. "Good-by, Lily of the
valley. I'll come and sew again when I
want another inspiration" "And she de-
parted with Belle, unmindful of Llly's en-
treaties not to carry out her project.
Seated in Grace's library, the friends
wrote and re-wrote epistles to various gen.
tleman of their acquaintance, but still were
unsatisfed with the result
AT length Grace flung aside her pen, ex-
claiming, "Listen to this, Belle 1t is
much better than the other plan" And
she read as follows:
"To Henry Archer, Esq.
DEAR FRIEND,-I have long been aware
of your real feelings toward me, and trust
ed that time would enable you to overcome
your diffidence, and allow you to tell me of
your love, and thus make us both happy;
but as l see no prospect Of this, venture
to take advantage of the privilege of Leap
Year, and tell you that ] most sincerely
love and esteem you. Please do not write
an answer to this, but if inclined to forgive
my forwardness, and accept my proposal,
meet me tomorrow night at eleven o'clock
in Mrs. Gray's conservatory.
Very truly yours,
"LILY ATHERTON."
"Why, Grace Thatcher What do you
mean? You will surely never send that to
Harry Archer p exclaimed Belle, utterly
aghast at the bare idea.
"Indeed will, Belle; and Lily ought to
be much obliged to me for doing so. Any
body can see that Harry Archer worships
the ground he treads on; but she is so qui-
ct and reserved that he has no encourage
ment to propose. When they once get
together in Mrs. Gray'a conservatory with
that letter, they must come to an under
standing. know Lily is to be at Mrs.
Gray's party, and of course Mr.. Archer
will, as he is Mr.. Gray's nephew.
"But now there is one trouble" she
continued. "Mr. Archer knows my wri.
ting, for one day he and l helped Mrs. Gray
write some invitations. Can't you copy il
for me, Belle ?"
eyes" said Belle, rather thoughtfully
for her; "but are you sure you had better
send it n shouldn't quite like such a trick
played on me, would you?'
81 shouldn't care ! not one bit p de
clared Grace, emphatically, shaking bach
her long ringlets. "If any one served mt
so, could get out of it well enough. Be
cause you see," she added, "I don't car'
anything about any one; so should be per
fectly cool and self-poSsessed.
"Even if it were Edward Fairfax ?" que
ried Belle, archly.
"Of course Why not he as we'll as an
other?" returned Grace. But Belle noted
the sudden flush on her cheek.
"Well, I'll copy it," she said. "Bu
how are you going to witness the tende
meeting, Grace, for I suppose you meaI
toP'
Certainly" replied Grace. "I woulc
not miss that for anything. I'll hide in tn
conservatory, and no one will be the wiser
But now copy this" she added, tossing tn
note to Belle, who obeyed.
81 must go now, Grace" she said, a
she finished. 81 promised to be home ear
ly. ] shall see you tomorrow evening a
Mrs. Gray's." And the friends parted.
AS Belle hurned along the street sh
could scarcely maintain becoming gravi
ty; and when she entered her own room sh
: burst into merry laugh
"I'l do it'll certainly win p she ex
claimed. "If Grace is SO perfectly willin
that any one should play her such trick
III just make another copy of her note 70
: Edward Fairfax. How neatly smuggle
| her rough draft of it, and sheet of til