The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-13
A Hasty Marriage.

ANOmE years ttSO IleIe llNOu stO I0Oihouui,
~ England, one Edgar Walton. His
father held. situation in the Leemouth
Dockyard, and Edgar was in hopes of
obtaining similar appointment. He was
engaged to the daughter of one of his
fathers friends, and it was agreed that the
marriage should take place as soon as he
could obtain permanent situation, with q
salary adequate to the support of the fam
lily. The prospect of the young people
seemed uuclouded, and many were the day
dreams in which they rovelled as they
wandered through the meadows in the long
summer evenings, and talked of their
future happiness. Some months had
thus passed by when, on his return from
short distance, Edgar found his hopes were
fulfilled ; he was appointed to the charge of
a body of convicts proceeding to New
South Wales, and on his arrival there he
was to fill a post similar to that of his
father at Leemouth.
Away he ran Immediately in high spirits to
tell his Alice of his good luck, and to warn
her to make preparations for departure.
Short time indeed was given for this pur-
pose; the ship sailed within forty-eight
hours they would be married on the NOR
row, and the next afternoon they would
to seek their fortune in new land. He
ran, full of glee, into the well known house,
called for Alice, and was told she had gone
to spend week with some relations in the
country. All his joy vanished at once.
1t would take some time to communicate
with her. for her to come down TO Lee
mouth if she did not arrive in time, and
he were forced to go alone, how sad a term
ination would this be to all his bright
hopes. However, all was done that could
be suggested. Letters were written to go
by the mornings post to the families
she was to visit, and one of her relations
was sent off to find her, if possible, that
no chance might be lost. Then Edgar re-
turned to make preparations for the voy-
age.
In the meantime, Alice, little knowing
how much her presence was required at
Leemouth, was talking over her fu-
ture plans, and taking counsel with rel
atives as to her outfit. She had heard that
Edgar was in hopes of soon obtaining
an appointment, and she felt in un-
usual spirits, and was merrily laughing
with her cousins when her uncle arrived
and brought the news of Edgar's summons.
Everything was in confusion Immediately.
Boxes were corded, hurried adieu was
taken, and she was away. All speed was
made, but several delays could not be
avoided. At length, however they reach
ed Leemouth, but only to learn that
Edgar's ship had sailed some hours.
She was too late-he had gone, and per-
haps they might never meet again on earth.
The disappointment was very bitter, but
she bore it. She wiped away few tears,
and then returned to her fathers house
but her cheek was very pale and her voice
trembled as she spoke. Thus flor a week
did sadness hang over the family. Then,
as they were sitting in silence one evening,
in burst a friend, his face radiant with ex-
citcHehl-ho sho"eu ihoih newspaper
aragraph-Edgar's ship had been obliged
TO put into Pitchton Roads through a stress
Of weather. There was still chance.
This news was almost more difficult to bear
than the previous disappointment but
Alice rose quietly and packed her trunk,
though several times the throblng of her
heart forced her to stop. Again another
journey had to be performed under the
same excitement as before--feverishly
watching the coursespf the smoke, the
bending Of the trees, to see II the wind
still blew from the west; every lost moment