The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-04-15
A Family Secret.
ssVXT HO is this Mr.. Stuart, who is
wv to deliver the lecture tonight"

"A
wv to deliver the lecture to-night9''
asked Ella Jarvis of her friend, Flora Law
ton, as they rode together in the latter's
splendid carriage to tho lecture hail.
"I scarcely know much about him." re-
turned Flora "I only heard father say he
was once aprofessor in )sone college, and
is on a lecturing tour for the sake of diver
sion We do not know him at all-in fact,
think father said he never saw him; but
he has invited him to stay at our house.
What bore it win be to have to entertain
an entire strangerl do wish father
wouldn't take so many things upon himself
when there is no occasion for it y
"Ah, my dear, don't pout those pretty
lips so; who knows but what he may be
very elegant gentleman, who will open to
you new view of life y g
"You needn't think he can do it in the
way you indirectly hint = returned Flora
petulantly. eff he can do it any other
way he is welcome to- But here we are at
the hail. and there is brother George wait
ing for us. Halo George has the lectur-
er arrived = she said from the carriage
window. ga..
Z" Yes = replied the young man she ad-
dressed ''Father and l met him at the
station, and they are in the ante-room now.
And how is my darling ?'' he added, as he
helped Miss Ella, his promised wife to
alight. .t-
"Nicely; but tell me what kind of a
looking man Mr.. Stuart is. Is he hand
some and young ?''
Both y said George. "Flo has held
out pretty long; but now her time has
come. Her heart is in great dangerv'
g Nonsense. Pray don't be extremely
absurd GeorgeI' replied his sister with a
toss of her pretty head. "You men are SO
vain you all think you are perfectly ire
sistable, and that lady has nothing to do
but to fall in love with you at first sight"
"Come now, stop; wait till you see the
lecturer, and you'll take all that back"
BY this time the trio had reached the in
ner door of the brilliantly lighted hall, and
George Lawton led the way to their seats.
Inc IdWUOu y were one Ol bne WeAlJnleSl
and proudest families in the town. No one
knew, and perhaps never cared to inquire,
into Mr.. Lawton's past history. He had
long been resident Of the place-was
and occupied the highest places as matter
of course His only daughther, Flora, was
dashing young lady about twenty-three
years old, who had had many lovers, but
was never successful in keeping them anG
was not particular favorite among the
other young ladies. Her most intimate
friend was Ella Jarvis, who had recently
become engaged with her idolized brother
and thus the bond of their long friendship
seemed irrevocably sealed. George Law
ton was young lawyer of great promise
a young man of great good sense; and hi
had found a fit companion in the one h,
had chosen to share his fortunes.
AS the hands of the clock indicated half
past seven, the lecturer, accompanied b,
Mr.. Lawton, entered and went up to tn
platform. For moment perfect slenc
reigned, and then loud buzz as each per
son turned to the next neighbor, and will
curious and comical expressions ON thei
faces, whispered, and then turned toward
the lecturer again. Mr.. Lawton in YER
few words introduced the orator of tn
evening, who he said would speak for him
self.
Mr.. Stuart then rose and came to tn
very edge of the platform, where he stoo
moment gazing intently at his audience
who returned the gaze with interest. II
was man once seen, not to be forgotten
He was very short, very thin, very round
shouldered (; and upon the forward part {
his shoulders his head was set, protrudin
in manner which gave one the uncomfor
able feeling that it might once have bee
amputated, and then put on again in to
great haste his hair was of the rust,
craggy sort, and evidently was accustome
to have its own way, causing the owns
very little trouble or thought. But I'll
most striking feature was the eye. A
frst the impression would be, that he ha
only one---and such little keen one;
turned every way and saw everything al
while one was painfully conscious of
power, the impression would gain grour
that the other, although half shut, was nj
less bright, but was doing good acti'
service, occasionly opening to its full g
tent, and penetrating as few eyes cou
penetrate. W qfi a raa DO
When this little wiry man came forwar