The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-13
Qbe Ginres, Nelp Bloont1elo, 1Da.

twenty-five years. 1t had been ten years
since he had first sat at the gaming-table
with Rick Saunders. At first he was in
different gradually he got quietly inter-
ested, then absorbingly so, and from that
it rapidly developed into the passion which
had ruined him. For it was ruin hopeless,
unavoidable ruin. This last nights work
had sealed it, and Rick Saunders had urged
him to the venture against his own better
! judgments Meadow Farm, sold at that
hour, could not begin to pay his indebted
ness, and there was no hope or chance left
for its redemption.
Edith heard all the bitter painful story
almost in silence, save for the few words
of pity and sympathy spoken in low gentle
tones in the ear of the despairing man.
By-and-by, when the first agony of the
thought had exhausted itself, she said,
quietly, in decided voice
81 am going to see Ross Atherton. lie
is your own cousin, and able to buy twenty
Meadow Farms if he pleases. He can buy
the place and not feel it, and thus secure
mother and the children from being turned
into the street. 1t will not be like a stran-
gers owning it, for he must let us remain
here. / shall tell him all this and"
Be laughed at for your palms," inter-
rupted Grantley, shortly. 81 tell You,
Edith, it will do no good, and only subject
you to humiliation. I've not seen Ross
since he was boy, and what do you sup
pose he cares for our troubles and disgraces?
He is very rigid in his principles too,
have heard, and will have little sympathy
for the weakness through which have
been ruinedE'
"One may have sympathy for the sinner
while hating the sin, she returned, gently;
and at least it will do no hurt to ask him.
! 1t is not charity, only very great favor
and with all his wealth, Ross Atherton may
need favors from his fellows some day. At
least, 1 shall be in Dudley before another
night, and do not mean TO fdd A shelter
and a home must first be secured for them;
after that you and will go to work and
pay what other debts the sale Of the farm
does not. OF course, we shall pay him rent
while it is in his hands,"
1t was q dull lowering day, with slight
dashes OF rain at intervals, and when Edith
Grantley stepped into the station at Dud-
ley, at about four o'clock in the afternoon,
it was raining hard. She was weary with
her one hundred and thirty miles of travel,
but she felt that she could not afford the
dollar a hackman asked to take her to Mr..
Atherton's, mile and half away. So
she sat and waited for it to slack raining,
looking out through the dingy pane at the
dripping caves, and reading, absentiy, the
names of some score or SO of ambitious
travellers who had scratched their names
on the sashes. By-and-by the rain sud
denly ceased, and the sun shone out through
a rift in the clouds. She had already OBJ
tanned the necessary directions, and now
she lost no time in setting out on her walk
She was conscious of vague unreal feeling
as if she were walking in dream. The
strange town, and the stranger erand upon
which she had come, filed her with a sense
of bewilderment. She half paused at the
corner of the street, trying to recall the
direction the station master had given her.
A carriage was coming, and she resolved
to ask the way, for she was too tired to
afford to make mistake. The gentleman
was driving slowly, and she turned to speak
to him, but sudden surprise chained her
tongue, and sent the red blood to her face
in a torrent. And so the gentleman spoke
first.
"My travelling companion, believe"
| he said, with easy cordiality.
, She recovered herself instantly, bowed,
: and looking at the arm in the sling, said
"And you are able to be out SO soon?'''
81 am just going in" he replied, smil-
ing. "Or rather, have just reached
town my home is in Dudley"
+, Doubtless, then, you can inform me il
+ l should go this way to reach Mr.. Ross
/ Atherton's'
Yes, and l can do better still. / &c
: that way, and can take you along, if yor
0 will honor me-"
Edith half hesitated, but another shower
!, was already beginning to. fall, which aided
J, her at once in her decision. A small boy
d who was driving, sprang out at wore
Q from the gentleman, who took the reins il
r his left hand.
/ "The horse is very gentle, and win 81
# home without guiding" he replied t
g Edith's remonstrances against deprivint
i him of driver.