The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-04-01

as | am. Well, do not pretend 10 unuer-
stand a woman. But remember this: |
have given you my heart, and do not
lightly take back the gift Scorn it, tram
pie it under your feet, if you will, l will
yet have you for my own some day."
She sighed, at cannot be ~
Cecil, you cannot deceive me so;
know that you have some hidden motive
for this, and, though think it hardly what
l deserve at your hands, will not now ask
you what it is; but will find it out for
myself, if it takes me twenty years."
He seated her in a dark corner of the
piazza, and went to get a glass of wine.
She terrified him by her strange impassive-
ness; she did not shed tear, but shook
from head to foot as if with an ague.-
Percie passed through the hall, and met
Mrs. Maxwell and Flora in the parlor.
"Where is Cecil ?'' Mrs. Maxwell was
very pale, and Flora sobbing over letter.
"Outside. What has happened?"
"My brother Commodore Dare-O, how
shall l ever tell her ?''
o
trembling hand.
Good, God, dead !'' with shocked en-
phasis.
cit was an accident they removed the
steamers plank too quickly, and he was
precipitated into the water. They say the
wheel struck him, for he was fine swim
mer. Where is my poor child?"
The words almost died on her lips, for,
looking like ghost of her former self,
Cecil came toward them.
"What is it aunt?"
Percie tried to stop her, but she drew
the paper impetuously out of his hand.-
One moment of awful pause, as her face
grew stony in its pallor; she gave single
cry, and Percie caught her as she fell.
They thought she would never come out
of that deathlike swoon. The nerves that
had been so strung and lacerated during
the painful day had received their final
shock, and when she did unclose her eyes,
she seemed stupifed. Finally Mrs. Max
we'll put her arm around her.
Cecil" as the wandering eyes rested on
her aunt's face, &C. have letter here from
your father; try to read it."
She looked down at the page. 1t began,
my darling Sissy" his pet name for his
only daughter. Over her heart came the
sound of his voice lingering on the words
her own brave sailor father, whose caress
she would never feel more; single low
sob broke the silence of the room, and the
tears they had SO anxiously looked for
rolled down Cecil's cheeks as she sank
back on her pillows.
The MaXwells were anxious to get away
before morning, and there was possibility
of their catching the night train if they ran
across the bay in sailboat to the main.
| land. Percie Lennox offered his yacht in.
stead of their own, on account of its greater
speed, and in about an hour the travellers
came down OH the pier, Cecil, still half
stunned with her grief, a thick veil drawn
over her face. Strong arms lifted her into
the boat and carried her to a sofa on deck
and she said, gratefully, You are so goot
to me, Uncle John; have no father but
you now," as she laid wearily down But
Mr.. John Maxwell was some steps behint
hen and she did not know then, nor fol
long years after, that it was Percie Lenno,
who had held her SO lovingly
1t was dark gloomy afternoon of |
November day, and the schoolbell at Mis-
Hatherton's English and French Board
ing and Day School for Young Ladies,
rang twice, rather waspshly, as if it said
"DO goshome do go home p to the wear,
and dispirited students. With Frightening
faces the girls rose from their seats, an,
proceeded to pile up their books, the un
loosened tongues flying at pace calculated
to make up for their enforced silence
Suddenly, in the midst of the hubbub,
single sharp stroke sounded from the prin
cipals desk.
"Young ladies'" said Miss Hatherton
Gas soon as the day scholars have with
drawn, wish to say few words to tn
: boarders."
Six of tho older girls and four or fiv
children (for the boarding school wa
limited reseated themselves, and one,
pretty sly-looking girl with masses @
chestnut hair and big blue eyes, muttere
to her neighbor:
"What upon earth's up? The grihi
looks wonderfully amiable.'
; After a few minutes, tho schoolroor
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