The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-10-27
What a strong swimmer is


ness and we're rapidly discussing all the
momentous matters pertaining to the en-
pire of fashion, and criticising the taste of
their various acquaintances.
"What horrid sleeves Julia Rogers has
to her new dress - said Helen.
"Not half SO horrid as the gaudy trim
mings on Martha Pixies bOnnet,n replied
Emily.
And SO forth. Our lady readers car fill
up the dialogue to their Giking-we have
no relish for it.
While they were thus engaged, Mrs.
Curtis entered the room with an express
sion of displeasure on her face She passed
through and delivered some sharp orders
to Mary, and returning seated herself by
her daughters. Mary's song had ceased.
"Helen, what does William Belts want
of Mary9"
81 don't know, mother; has he been
here ?''
"Yes, and this is the third time, too /
told him each time that she was not in /;
and tonight he seemed uneasy at my
answer, and left the door without saying
word"
The girls looked at each other with sur
prise and curiosity. Young Belts was
clerk in the house Of Stuart,& Co., an in
telligent, enterprising and promising young
man, whom both Helen and Emily with
score of other cap-setters, had singled out
as the object of particular conquest. The
question, therefore, what he wanted of
Mary, electrified their nerves, and Get in
march whole regiment ofsurmises.
81 was the more surprised at his silence
tonight" continued the mother, "be-
cause ! asked him why he wished to see
her, and he gave me a glance which said,
1t is none of your business" and then
turned off without answering me.''
The mother perceived by the.siIence and
flushed faces of her daughters that she had
effected her object, and with an air of sat
isfaction, left them to nurse the bitter seed
OF jealousy which she had dropped in their
hearts.
From those hearts, 'theuceforth, all
semblance of love for Mary was banished.
After long silence, Helen exclaimed,
with petulant energy,
al know William Belts ,mistool the
name p
"What name did he meanf'' said Emi-
ly, with slight start. This was deli
cate question, and remained unanswered.
Emily, though the younger was the
greater philosopher, and from the begin
ming had OWNED the true state of the case.
She had already begun to cultivate. feel
Ling of resignation to the disappointment
lsof her halffOrmed hopes, and was not un-
willing to tantalize Helen alittle, seeing
she took it SO much to heart. Had she
niagled little generosity with her re.
sigSation, and sympathiBed with her poor
cousin in her supposed goodfort1ne, ii
would have been nobler and saved hec some
remcrse in after years.
ASIIelen," said she, in solemn tone
without raising her eyes, ".William is in
B0we with Mary. / know it'7
"Row do you know P'' Ueplied Hslen,
dropping her work.
81 have known it for a long time"
" What and not tell meE7
"Oh, I thought it might pain yon.''
"Pain me"' said Helen, with an angry
blush, |twhy should care If he does love
her ?''
"BeeaAue you love him. said Emily,
coolly.
| nuaya., .,as +oo f,I of x,a~.,+sa., +,, ,,o,,i,,
and givinglher sister very emphatic look,
she threw down her work, took light and
went TO her,T0om.
| Mary, meanwhile, unconscious Of the inn
portant parther name had borne in the
,evening's discourse, had finished her daily
task, and seated herself, with weary limb
and heavy heart in the chair just vacated
at Emily's side.
Eearning for social sympathy, she was
about to attempta cheerful conversatiOa,
when she was absuptly and cruelty cut
shOutby her cousin, who exclaimed with a
naughty peevishnesS
"It,s bed time, and I've talked enoughr'
Mary rose from her chair, imprinted a
silent kiss on Emily's brow, and without
receiving any returning token of affection,
sought her couch and fell asleep amid pray
ers and tears. Prayers and tears must
they always Aow together9''
Emily soOR followed with an unhappy
heart full OF conflicting and tremulous
passions. That coal of fire was still burn
ing on her browi