The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-08-05

1
"That is the truth, mother. But unless
greatly err in my estimate of Mr. Stan
ley's character, there will be no sacrifice in
this case. rec but one course left to me-
continued Alice, after moments refiec-
ton; cit is to state frankly to Mr.. Stanley
the whole matter. It is a delicate thing to
undertake, but feel sure that his good
sense will see the propriety of my action,
and approve of it."
cit is what | would have suggested, my
dear child" said the mother, with smile
of pleasure. " But your task will be a
delicate one, and hardly see hcw you can
execute it without great embarrassment
"Trust to me, mother" said Alice,
whose spirits, for a moment dashed, had
resumed their elasticity. 81 shall throw
aside all circumlocution and, as the law
yers say, speak directly to the point"
After Alice had retired she thought the
whole matter over. The extreme delicacy
of the task she proposed to undertake be-
came more apparent to her. and she passed
many sleepless hours in conjecturng how
she could best accomplish it, The more
she revolved the matter in her mind, the
more difficult and distaseful it appeared.
To say to the gentleman, &c Mr.. Stanley,
must decline your civilities for the future
because they give occasion to public seam
dal,' was simple enough, but how would
such an avowal be received? Would he
not infer at once that she considered his
attention too pointed, unless he intended
to make an offer of his hand? Or that she
regarded this idle talk more than she did
his friendship? If she assigned no reason
for declining his civilities, would he not,
on the other hand, suppose that they were
disagreeable to her ?''
Mother" said Alice, the next morning,
"if it is necessary to say anything to Mr..
Stanley in regard to this miserable tattle,
I must beg of you to do it. l thought last
night could do it myself, but cannot.
After all, what necessity is there of men,
tioning the matter to him? He tells me
that he shall soon start on long contem-
plated tour in Europe. When he is gone
all this scandal viii cease, and the busy
bodies win seek in some new quarter food
for gossip"
"That alters the case materially" said
Mrs. Fortescue, "and perhaps it will be
well to let the matter drop. was not
aware that such was Mr.. Stanley's inten-
tion. How long does he expect to be alb
sent ?"
"He told me about year." said Alice,
with something like sigh. .4..,. y b..
"You will miss him very much," said
Mrs. Fortescue, wishing to ascertain, if
possible, the state of Alice's feelings in
regard to Stanley. ,..,.,. ..,.., .....,...
Il EYES, but year soon passes away.o
"And when the year has passed and he
returns, what then, my child? Will the
intimacy be renewed?"
"I perceive what is in your thoughts,
mother, said Alice,n with faint smile,
2 "but do not press me Oh that point. What
4 may happen in the future l cannot say. OF
one thing be assured, dear mother, that in
no event shall / fail to seek and be guided
by your counsel r,,.soro nbtn
From this conversation and what follow
ed, Mrs. Fortescue was fully satisfied of the
real nature of her daughters sentiments
towards Stanley. The discovery was un-
welcome to her; not that she objected to
the gentleman, but because she was igno-
rant of his sentiments and of his intentions.
Had she known that the love of Alice was
reciprocated, and that the dearest wish of
Stanley's heart was TO win her for his wife,
her JOY would have been great, for she
believed that he possessed every quality of
mind and heart to render a woman hap
py. s., noHa h,id gm G
In her state Of uncertainty ON this point
Mrs. Fortescue was very glad to learn that
Mr.. Stanley was going abroad. If his in
J tentions in respect to Alice were not "se-
rious," the parting could not take place
too soon; for his presence would undoubt-
edly foster the incipient love of her daugh-
ter into strong and enduring passion.
On the contrary, his absence, and with
nothing on which to feed hope, the inn
' preston he had made would ! very likely
! soon pass away, as has been similarly in
stanced time out of mind, Even il their
love was mutual, years absence, Mrs.
Fortescue thought, would do no harm,
but serve to test the constancy Of the young
2 couple. o ab Huun iei"
On the next Saturday evening as Alice
: and Stanley were on their way as usual to
her home, after the rehearsal, the latter
remarked that, that was probably the last