The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-07-07

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went back to her childish days, and that
noble youth who had been her playmate
and constant friend. But she believed that
the affection that had grown up between
them was such as sister might have given
to brother, and only marveled that the
thought of him caused her strange pang
which she could not comprehend.
"You know that Mr.. James deems it
expedient that we should be married at
once--did he not tell you so?" continued
William.
"I believe yes"
"Then, l shall leave you to your books
and your quiet life which have so unex-
pectedly troubled with my presence"
"You have not troubled me-" Nellie
said, in frmer voice, 81 am glad"
"And you do not grieve over this hasty
wedding, so strange, so improbableP When
am gone you will not be panied to re-
member that am your husband ?"
"No, am SO young, Mr.. Sears-I do
not know how to answer, but know that
l can trust my guardian"
William shuddered at that name-he
could not tell if her young heart revolted at
the idea of this union, or if it was only the
timidity of her age Then he remembered
Mr.. James words" My fate is in your
hands, ruin or success depends upon your
decision p That man was his father-oh,
God his father He called upon his son
to save him-he dared not refuse-there
was his pledge to his dying mother
"And you will not learn to dread my
coming back-for l shall return some day,
Nellie"
She raised her eyes to his face, those
eyes from whence all the truth of childhood
looked.
"You will be my husband shall never
dread your return, but will trust and. be-
lieve in you as l have always believed in
my guardian"
"Then l will tell him that you consent
to this--at once as he wishes?"
cat once-now ?"
"Are you frightened, Nellie ?"
"No, no, not that 1t is so sndden--it
takes my breath away Don't misunder-
stand me, Mr. Sears, do not dislike you
/ am not afraid would do anything to
make you happy-to crafty my guar
dian"
al will come back-stay here, Nellie"
He went out to the room where he knew
Mr.. James awaited him.
1T is settled" he said, in hoarse, abb
rupt voice. care you satisfed?"
"But the ceremony must not be delayed
-to-night-this very hour all must be
irrevocably arranged" answered Mr..
James.
"Do what you william not in your
hands? AS for that child-well, well-if
misery come to her, may God pardon you,
it will have been your work"
"Never mind, William, you are agitated
there is nothing so terrible in all this"
"We will drive into the city-there is no
train for several hours, I know a minister
whom we can trust-the thing will soon be
settled"
"Settled ~ William repeated the word
in mingled bewilderment and horror
"Settled-and the future-the years be-
yond--we are young--who knows when
this suffering will cease p
GAS you say, there is no time for all these
fancies," Mr.. James replied. "Retun
to the fair trembler who in her heart is
both frightened and overjoyed at the ro-
mance-I will call you when the carriage is
ready"
Sears stood where Mr.. James left him.
AS he stood there, Catharine's image came
out from the past and stationed itself beside
him That thought was madness-he could
not endure the recurrence of those memo
ries But soon he was aroused-that man
came back, placid and smiling above the
dark abyss of his own thoughts.
"Ungallant bridegroom come along
The carriage is waiting, ana Nellie is in it;
have ordered horse for you, because
don't want your face and wild manner to
frighten the girl into the belief that she is
taking a maniac for husband
Sears followed him out, mounted his
horse and rode down the avenue after the
carriage. Their departure occasioned, of
course, no surprise among the inmates of
the house, and so they went away, those
two, going on to their fate.
They we're in the city at passing
through the less frequented streets until
the carriage stopped before the house
which Mr.. James had indicated. William