The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-08-12

crying with fear and excitement, and there
was my hair all unbraided, and my dress
not yet changed.
The thought of Aunt Perkins came over
me with a dreadful sinking of heart as
proceeded with my toilet.
Phebe ?" called mother again, before
was half through and down l went with
out my cuffs on, and my hair fastened up
any way with a comb. Mother looked
aghast when appeared in that style, and
Aunt Perkins puckered more than ever as
her critical eyes ran over my apparel. But
tea was over at last, the dishes washed and
put away. Father was better, and sitting
in great chair by the fire, and the tea
had frightened everybody up, so they were
talking merrily. stole away unnoticed
to search for my ring again. Reuben
would be there in less than half an hour,
probably, and what should do if l could
not find it before that time? In the first
place had private interview with Dick,
but he was all innocence and declared that
he had never touched the ring.
Chow did you know that had any
ring" questioned, angrily.
"Coz saw it on your finger. How could
a fellow help knowing you had one % he
said, stoutly.
But how did you know where got it?"
said l, suspiciously.
That's telling p said he, escaping into
che other room with the most provoking
grin he was capable of.
Seems to me you're rather uneasy to-
night Phebe," said father. "Why don't
you sit down and talk like other folks P''
So sat down and tried to talk, but /
kept thinking about the ring, of course,
and answered grandmas questions at ran
dom, until mother looked at me as if she
nearly. l wondered if had worn the ring
down stairs. / must have, else how could
Dick have seen it on my finger? But still
was sure that when mother called me
down stairs at noon took it off and put it
away in my box. She startled me so from
my dream, though, that was not quite in
the possession of my senses, and had
hardly recovered them for all day, what
with my work and hurry. The ring was
rather loose for my first finger, and / must
have lost it of, if had worn it down
stairs. 1t was very strange, for how could
have worn it without being conscious of
it, when it had been on my mind every
moment?
AT last Reuben came. heard his step
on the walk, and hastened to the door,
hoping to be able to make some explanation,
though my foolish heart was beating so
that could scarcely speak. But Dick was
there before me, announcing in loud
voice that "Phebe was at homeW
He looked half confident, half anxious
when he came in, but when his eye fell
upon my bare hand, could see change
in his face. Uncle Isaiah gave me sly
merry glances, and talked to Reuben as il
he were already one of the family. could
say nothing, and Reuben himself, though
he seemed more than ever at his ease, was
not inclined to talk much, and long before
nine o'clock rose to take his leave. Now
should have chance to speak, thought,
for Dick was deeply engaged in gymnastic
performance behind the scenes, and father
and Uncle Isaiah were getting so lively
over political discussion that everybody's
attention was turned in that direction.
The fates were against me, however for
who should appear on the steps just as we
opened the door into the still moonlight
night but Miss Hibbard, coming to make a
call !? So l could only say goodnight to
Reuben, who shook my hand in strange
sad way as If it were last farewell, and
usher the lady into the sitting-room as po-
litely as possible.
o, how much more sweetly should have
slept that night if / could only have said,
81 have lost the ring, Reuben, else should
have worn it;' but then, he would have
thought me strangely careless of his gift.
AS it was, slept very little, but lay awake
planning how should send note to Reu-
ben. | would not send it through the
post Office, because Mrs. Roberts the post
mistress knew my handwriting, and she
was such a gossip would not go to Reu-
ben's house myself, of course, and could
not send Dick, for nothing in the world
would keep him silent on the subject. At
last concluded to go in search of Jimmy
Taylor--a boy who did chores for us some-
times, and who was as trustworthy and
faithful as the day is long. would write
note, and give him directions to give it
only into Reuben's hands. But, dear me
didn't know the next day as ever should