The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-01-28

wife pronounced him to be the best New
Yorker she had ever met, and the gossips
insinuated that Mrs. Blunt, the widow, was
setting her cap for him.
Gypsy Lane, the daughter of leading
man in Russian Bar, and made wealthy by
a saw-mill, which all day long groaned and
screamed some distance down the river,
did not express her opinion as to Hough-
toms merits, but in the summer evenings,
when the schoolmasteY, rod in hand, wan
dered along the stream, and threw his line
across the mill-dam, Gypsy was seldom far
away. Lane, bluff, hearty old fellow,
frequently asked Houghton to spend the
evening with him, and told his adventures
in early California to a patient listener,
while Gypsy dutifully mended her fathers
socks on the veranda,
Mrs. Lane, when Gypsy was but baby,
was laid to rest in Lone-mountain long be-
fore Lane ever thought of settling at Rus
sian Bar. Seymour and Walker were the
best and most industrious pupils the young
master had, and were happy when accom-
panying him on his fishing excursions. In
fact, all agreed in declaring that the edu-
cational department in the village was
thriving success. .t.I,
One pleasant evening in June, Gypsy
Lane, twirling her straw hat, thoughtfully
picked her way across the broad fields that
lay between the house and the mill The
stream was a winding one, and as she
placed her tiny foot on the first stepping
stone, she saw straw hat on the grass
which she knew WELL -...
" How is Miss Lane this EVENING"" said
Houghton, lazily, from beneath manza-
nita bush, where he had been enjoying
book and pipe.
swell, thank you. How is Mr.. Hough-
ton?" replied Gypsy, shyly.
Warnf, but not uncomfortable. Are
you going to the mill ?''
g Yes, have letter that has just come
for father"
May accompany you?"
Certainly, if you choose.'
Houghton put on his hat and helped
Gypsy across the brook. ..
81 had letter from New York few
days ago." said he, after they had left the
first bend of the river behind.
GA pleasant one?'
"Well, although in one sense it brought
good news, still can hardly call it pleas
and letter"
They walked on, and Gypsy swung her
hat pensiyely, longing, with a woman's
curiosity, to hear more about the New
York letter.
" l am going to1eave Russian Bar" said
Houghton, abruptly.
"Indeed how soon ?"
e" l don't know yet possibly within
week.
The hat was swayed from side to side
with increased energy.
"Do you care much, Miss Lane ?n Say
ing this with an earnest look into the hazel
eyes that were kept steadily bent on the
brown parched grass beneath their feet.
" Yes, of course we shall all be sorry to
lose you, returned Gypsy, evasively.
Z" If come back in few months with
something for my future wife, shall see
this ring onher finger P'' whispered Hough-
ton, capturing the little hand that held the
hat, and slipping pearl ring on the deli
cate finger.
Gypsy said nothing but her eyes turned
for moment on the schoolmaster's earn
est face, and in the next moment her soft
cheek was resting on his shoulder.
Russian Bar, to man, turned out to
wish Philip Houghton god-speed on the
morning he took his place by the driver
who one year before had set him down at
Perkins hotel. They knew he was on his
way to New York, and that he had been
left some money,an the gossips more than
suspected that there was something be-
tween Gypsy Lane and their favorite. At
all events her eyes were red for week
after his departure.
Winter had come and the river was
swollen and rapid, and many a lofty tree
from the pine forest had found its way to
the hearths at Russian Bar. One delicious
morning, crisp and cold after a nights
rain, the stage passed by the large white
oak, and, splashed with mud, halted before
Perkins hotel. 1t had been all night ON
the way for the roads were very heavy.
The worthy proprietor of that excellent
house was in the act OF tossing his first
cocktail when heavy hand was placed on
his shoulder, and Philip Houghton shouted:
Perkins, old boy how are you ?" ap
The landlord returned the hand, shake