The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-10-13

The widows hand was suddenly with
drawn from mine then bending upon me a
look in which pity and indignation seemed
to be strangely mingled, she said
"I do not understand you, Mr.. Quick ?"
The blood rushed to my cheeks, and
know I blushed horribly at the conscious
ness that somehow Or other had, vulgarly
speaking, "put my foot in it," What
made the matter worse was that Mis-. J.'s
last inquiry had disturbed Aramnta and
the hated Smith, and they also were look
ing inquiringly at me.
"Pray, ma'am, were you-you-not
speaking of your chil-children 9'' STAN
mered.
"Children No, SIR" she exclaimed,
drawing herself to her full height; "I
spoke of my husbands r'
Involuntarily drew my chair few pa
ces from the terrible woman from whose
clutches was bent upon rescuing Aramin-
ia. 1t was very rude and pointed of me,
but could not help it. Lucky for my pur-
pose was it that this revelation had not
come sooner. Had known how things
were could not have had courage to escort
Mrs. j., from church so frequently. No
matter, my design was now nearly accom-
plished. Araminta, felt sure, would soon
be mine, and it would be my care to see
that she should not follow the fearful ex-
ample of her mother.
recollect nothing of what transpired
after this until found myself outside the
house with Smith by my side. lie had been
talking some time ere 1 listened, but sud-
denly my ears caught the name of Aramin-
ia, and then became all attention.
"You have influence, great influence, as
any one can see, with her mother. You
might put in word for me-"
why" inquired mechanically.
Because you might be enabled to gain
her consent to our marriage"
"To your marriage Marriage with
whom?"
"Why, with Araminta, of course. Don't
you know that if the girl marries without
her mothers approval she loses e30O a
year.
" What Have you proposed to herP"
" Not yet, but / mean to shortly. That's
why want you to talk about it to the old
woman"
What" l observed, "i is filthy lucre
when weighed against true lovep"
Evaot1y vo;J ho l,,,I 7 ,l...,A
about the girl without the money"
This, then, was the mean, contemplate
creature who had been held up to me as a
paragon among men. He could not disso.
ciate Araminta from her yearly income the
two must come together, or she should nev.
er bear his name. o, paltry scoundrel
Had he been short and tall l would have
crushed the life ont of him as he stood be.
fore me. But nature has made me short
man, and Smith towers foot above my
head, so prudence repressed, all bellicose
inclination.
We had now arrived at road where he
had to take one direction and / the other
He wrung from me half promise that ]
would say what could in his favor, and
then we parted. l was glad to be quit ot
him, for now knew that he had entered
the lists for Araminta, and wanted to ma.
ture my own plan of action. resolved tc
declare my passion the next night.
The resolution with which / retired tc
rest was strengthened when / arose, and
from the first hour of business to the time
when returned to my lodging my purpose
remained unaltered. When and under
what circumstances was it best to proffer
my suit? Twilight? Yes, in the twilght's
holy calm-in that romantic hour when the
shadows deepen, and all around gives to.
ken of the approach of night, would ad.
dress to her words of love.
l saw it all, and dressing myself with
scrupulous care, strobe forth upon my mis-
sion. AS / paced the strip of path which
led 70 the porch of my beloved, | saw
through the parlor window, in the gleam-
ing, a hand wave welcome to me- A thrill
of delight ran through me as felt that il
must be her, my beloved.
SO well had become known at the little
villa that it was not necessary should be
announced by the servant. She, with a
knowing smile, motioning with her finger
toward the parlor door, gave me to under
stand that the object of my search was
within and alone.
Quickly turning the handle of the door,
entered the apartment sanctitied by hel
presence. AS had anticipated, she wal
alone. Seated In front of the window sb,