The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-13
8g8

he answered, evasively, coloring slightly.
"By the way, there is Ross Atherton's
house now y pointing with his whip to a
a pretty stone-colored villa, half hidden in
the greenery that surrounded it.
g It's charming, isn't itp' Edith cried,
with kindling eyes.
Perhaps l should be considered a
prejudiced judge, though l am very glad
you like it, There is good deal in first
impressions don't you think soP''
Something in her companions look and
tone brought the color to Edith's cheek,
but she did not look up again, for she felt
his eyes on her face. So, to relieve her
own embarrassment, she said
"Do not go out Of your way for me
pray"
go no, am going to Atherton's my
self" he replied carelessly.
" Are you?" she asked, with such evil
dent gladness, that he leaned over and look
ed in her face, his own a little triumphant.
"Why, do you think you can manage to
like your cousin Ross just littleP" A
sudden suspicion shot through her brain.
"You-you are not he 70 she cried,
breathlessly.
81 am Ross, and can safely say never
was ashamed to acknowledge the fact be-
fore. And now permit me to bid you
hundred welcomes to my home" And he
assisted her out, despite her remonstrances.
"rm only sorry cannot give you the
right hand of welcome, F." he said.
"You gave that in my behalf tho other
day, ~ she answered, quickly, sudden
tremulousness in her voice,
"Aud I'd give them both to-day. Come,
come into the house, he added, turning
quickly and almost abruptly And so she
followed him in
Three days afterward, Edith Grantley
alighted again from the train at Carleton
station. John Irwin and Bess did not await
her coming this time, but l do not think
she noticed it. The gentleman who ac-
companied her evidently engrossed her at
tention largely. He was pale, and looked
rs If he had much better been at home,
but he was very self-willed, and would
come.
"I'll stay at Meadow Farm until get
well, and you shall nurse me-" he said,
laughing, when Edith tried to dissuade
him from the journey, fearing it would
make him i'll.
That night Rick Saunders suffered the
greatest disappointment of his life. Charles
Grantley paid every dollar he owed in
Carleton, and Meadow Farm was not to be
sold for debt. After moro than twenty
years of waiting and plotting, to be cheat
ed out of his revenge in this cavalier man
ner, was enough to make ono angry, GER
tainly, and was, at least, some slight ex-
cuse for the hard words he INDUCED in so
unstintedly. But his power to harm
Charles Grantley was lost forever, both by
word and deed.
Mrs Grantley never knew how near she
had come to being homeless, now how it
happened that Edith took that sudden
journey to Dudley. She was so wholly alb
sorbed those three days she was absent, in
the "pearl- -colored silk" and "accommo-
dation train" that she had little leisure for
other thoughts. But she did learn of the
railway romance and knew that in some
way her husbands cousin had assisted him
though to what extent she did not ever
guess. But Charles Grantley knew and ap
preciated his cousins generosity with pain,
full keenness.
81 never expect to be able to repay you
Ross" he said, with emotion "leastwis'
the kindness of the deed"
"Nonsense There was no generosity
about it I; / was the most thoroughly selfish
fellow in existence" Ross returned, laugh
ing and coloring "Of course I'd like Il
stand well before her, and that is why die
it, depend upon it !'
But the warm grasp he gave his cousin
hand, and the misty look in his eyes, belieC
the lightness of his words.
"God bless you, Ross Atherton p Mr.
Grantley said, brokenly.
"He has blessed me thousand time
more than deserve, already, in giving mi
her love-my sweet Edith"
"Did you want me, Ross ?' asked Edith
coming into the room just then, and catch
ing the sound of her name.
Want you, my darling Haven't l bee
telling you every day for month no,
much wanted youp" he asked, gayly
and now must tell it all over againp"
Which, though apparently unnecessary
} he straightway proceeded to do.
Rather Remarkable.