The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-01-14

to the children, surely there could DC no
greater happiness for all. Mr.. Jameson
was noble and thoroughly good, that could
not be doubted; but Henrietta felt half
sadly, that if Cora married him, it would
be for homo for the sake of the children,
perhaps from respect and gratitude, but
not from the loving impulse of her untu
tored young heart.
The little old maid had no heart history
of her own to guide her misgivings; she
had lived lonely life of slavery to ty-
rannical, invalid father, and since his death
the uneventful life of keeping boarding
house for the poorer class, always having
women for inmates. Yet this woman's
heart in her little frame, knew by its own
pure true instincts that this was a marriage
that would bring misery and disappoint-
ment, not happiness. Cora was just twen-
ty Mr.. Jameson certainly double the age.
She was dreamy girl, musical en-
thusiast; he was practical, bustling and
energetic. Kind as he was to Cora, he
could never fill her heart--of that Henriet-
I'd Mdo COuNluICus IlCl hOlO
more than confirmed few hours later,
when Cora came to her room to say good
night. The young girl was very pale.
"Auntie," she said, using the familiar
name to which she had only the claim of
love, edo you think, please do not laugh
at me- do you think Mr.. Jameson isis
wanting to marry me. You think am
unmaidenly," she said, in an agony Of
shame, "but he has been talking very
strangely to me. He has bought house,
and he has been asking me how would like
to furnish room, what l thought of diff
feren household arragements, and putting
odd questions, that seem as if they could
have but one meaning-that he meant to
ask me to share his home"
81 think he does, Cora. Indeed, he told
me the same thing"
"Be his wife ~ Cora Hills face was
very pale as she said this.
81 think he will ask you, dear. He will
be kind, good husband, Cora"
"Too kind, too good to have me for a
wife ] could respect him. do now!
can give him gratitude beyond measure,
and l could be dutiful and affectionate,
but-Oh, help me, auntie, help me ~
"My darling, no one can help you"
Gle is so good to Jennie, to Eddy
Such brother for them should reconcile
me to anything. For their sake could
marry him, and be a good, true wife, l
know. that. But he deserves more than
that %
Sadly her listener echoed the words. He
certainly deserved love for love when he
married.
The friends talked together far into the
night, but it was like circle of converse
tion, returning over the same theme. When
they separated, it was with a vague idea OF
waiting till the words were spoken that
would force decision, before the decision
should be made.
The work of preparing the new home,
went forward rapidly. The loveliest of
flowers were selected for a conservatory
Jennie was in ecstacies at being allowed tc
choose all the things for her own room ; 9
guest chamber was prepared according tc
Cora's taste a nursery arranged for Eddy,
and before Thanksgiving all was ready,
and the master of the house issued his
invitations for family dinner party, re-
questing as favor that his lady guests
would put aside the mourning for that day
Still the momentous words were not spo
ken.
Henrietta was in her own room, ar
ranging her soft brown hair, and contem
plating the glories Of new black sill
dress, with rich blue satin trimmings, sof
lace and pretty ribbons, when Cora tapped
at the door.
Let me come in l am all ready, ant
the children have already started. The
carriage will come back for you and l.
Jennie looked very pretty in her crimson
dress, and Eddy is picture in his ney
suit Of velveteen, and crazy over his frs
y pair of pants" Said Cora.
: "Your dress is becoming, too" Sal
y Henrietta.
: 1t was silk of the most beautiful viole
II color, with great deal Of soft white lac
= about 1t. In the golden curls the younI
girl had twisted violet ribbons, and th
> color suited her fair beauty admirably
But the ladies were very pale, and had nj
holiday smiles; they spoke but little, ye
q in each heart was deep unexpressed fea
J and sympathy.
" They found their host waiting for theI