The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-08-05
Gbe Ginres, Mem BLOOMFIELD, 1Da.

ant query in my mind" replied Alice,
slightly besitating; whether or not |
should say something to you particularly
distasteful to myself, and which fear
would be very disagreeable to YOU
"Then with my whole heart conjure
you not to say it !" laughingly reioined the
young man. 4" On this our last walk to-
gether, let there be nothing distasteful or
disagreeable between us if it can be avoid
ed"
"Alice had almost worked herself up to
the point of speaking to her companion on
the subject she and her mother had lately
discussed, but her courage failed her at
the last moment, or rather she could not
find fitting language in which to express
herself. 44JEl
81 should be very sorry, assure you,
Mr.. Stanley" she said, in reply to his re-
mark, "to have any unpleasant associa-
tions connected with our parting hour"
''But / trust this is not to be our part
ing" said Stanley, as they paused at the
gate-entrance to Alice's home. !" l shall
see you tomorrow evening, and on Tues
day shall call and leave my adieus. To-
night permit me to say, au repoir!" So
saying the young gentleman took his
leave.
1t Glanced the next morning as Stanley
was passing Mrs. Fortescue's on his way
to church-it was remarkable the rounda-
bout way he had of late taken--that lady
was gathering some flowers in the front
yard. He learned from her that Alice had
already gone to church, and accepting her
invitation he entered the house.
Mrs. Fortescue thought that their being
together was an opportunity not to be
sligbted, and very frankly, but with some
little embarrassment, she mentioned to her
visitor the stories current respecting the
courtesy he had shown her daughter, and
alluded to the unpleasantness of such re-
ports, etc. Stanley received the informa-
| tion in good part, remarking:
"This accounts for what your daughter
said to me last evening, whether she should
say something that was distasteful to her
and might be disagreeable to me-"
Improving the occasion SO unexpectedly
offered, Stanley then openly declared his
love for Alice, and solicited the liberty of
paying his addresses to her. for the purpose
of proffering his hand Mrs. Fortescue
suggested whether it would not be better
to postpone that event until his return
that possibly, in the course of his travels,
he might meet with some one whom he
would prefer for wife to Alice, or in the
interim of his absence there might be
change in his mind.
The young man strenuously objected to
the postponement. AS for finding COM
panion more suitable to his taste, there
was not woman in the world to be COM
pared to Alice-and as for changing his
mind, time would only establish more sure
ly his love. The ardent suitor carried his
point. Mrs, Fortescue gave her joyful
consent, and the youth took his leave in
blissful ecstasy. :,
When Alice returned from church she
was not little surprised at the unwonted
spirits manifested by her mother, who had
remained at home on the plea of not feel
ing very well. She was still more surprised
in the course of the afternoon, when her
mother remarked:
"My daughtey we will have some of
your nice preserves for supper, also some
Of that boasted cake Of yours; Mr.. Stanley
will take tea with u.s."
"Mr, Stanley take tea with us - re-
peated Alice in open-eyed astonishment
"Yes, my dear; he happened by here
this morning after you had gone to church,
and as he was about leaving us so soon,
thought would invite him to tea. hope
4 you have no obj ections to it,
4 OF course she had none, but she was in
complete state of wonderment all the
time she was making preparations for an
event so entirely unexpected. This state
of mind, however, she did not permit to
interfere with her housewifery, which she
never displayed to better advantage, you
4 may be sure, than on this important occa-
sion. 81, tr.
very pleasant cosy, homelike repast
4 1t proved to be, With admirable tact Mrs.
Fortescue at once placed her guest at his
ease, and from the absence of all formality,
it really seemed like a snug little family
party. ..,-t..f.
The yesper services that evening must
have been unusually prolonged, or the
young couple must have. strangely loitered
on their way from church, for it was not
until long beyond her accustomed hour