The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-12-08


still lower.
''Never shown the slightest preference I
IIs.it possible that under my careless and
light.exterior you did not detect a more
serious meaningP But am awaiting my
answer" and he bent down TO catch the
timid yes"
The night was moonless and dark--so
much that the doctor could not see, as he
longed to do, the blushing face of his
Mary. He kissed at random, and being
determined to leave the seal of betrothal on
her lips, kissed first her ear and then her
cheek, and after meandering all about at
last settled upon her sweet lips, which
were turned temptingly upward.
"God bless you p' he whispered "To-
morrow evening may come and see you,
! suppose, and then we can adjust our hap
Ply futureP"
Just then the shouts of some lasses who
had been chased out of the back door and
around the graveled walks, by their rustic
admirers, startled the lovers. DR.. Collins
kissed his affianced again, and dashed
away before he was discovered. OF course
he walked upon air, and it is quite like
ly his prescription for the invalid was
little mixed. But after he had gained the
quiet of his own room he lay awake for a
long time rejecting upon the stupendous
step he had taken. Somehow he half re-
gretted that he had been so hasty, as he
| coY,, y,,,Dad 9TH biroeaIf
81 am afraid" he thought, "that my
mother and sisters will think her bit
hoydenish. But it cannot be denied that
she is beautiful and shrewd, and if trans
planted into more refined soil will inn
prove. How she seemed to melt when she
found loved her, and how changed were
her manners. confess that / expected
her to accept my wooing with her old-time,
halfdefiant and saucy flash. But 10 she
became sweetly womanly, tender and gen
tie. could feel her plant form tremble
and thrill in my arms, and her timid yes
was given almost with sob. BY Jove !
had no idea the child loved me so much,
and shall always be good to the sweet
girl. She shall be the very apple of my
eye."
With this resolve DR.. Collins 1oated in
to dream-land, to rehearse over again the
little love passage in the rustic porch of
Mrs. Goodwin's, and beneath the twining
morning glory vines. The following day
passed for him with leaden feet. He long
ed to see Mary Norris in her new char
acter of his affianced bride. That she
would be gentle and sweet with him, now
that they are engaged, he did not doubt,
and he felt that he should like her better
when trihe toned down. So the early
shadows of evening found him at the door
of the Norris mansion. Mary was at the
piano. He could distinguish her voice in
some peculiar strain. No doubt this was
only a ruse to cover her natural confusion.
A servant showed him in and he instantly
discovered that Mary was not alone. A
masculine friend from a neighboring vii
lage was devotedly leaning over her turn
ing the music. The closing of the door
announced him. Mary started up from
the instrument, and without the slightest
deepening of the roses upon her cheeks,
and as simply and naturally as ever, came
forward, greeted him and introduced {" her
friend, Mr.. Cummings"
The hot blood surged into the cheeks of
the doctor, and he attempted to express his
disappointment and ardor with one elo-
quent glance; but it Cell entirely short of
its mark No answering expressions came
back to him. AS If unconscious of their
new and dear relation TO each other, Mary
Norris ran on in merry jest and railery,
until he became thoroughly out Of humor,
and espoused the contrary side of every
thing, and at an early hour took his de-
parture. When in the hall, where the girl
accompanied him, he turned upon her with
words of reproach.
How could you admit that fellow TO-
night, when you expected me?''
81 beg your pardon, DIR. Collins" she
replied, with her saucy black eyes dancing.
You are very much mistaken. did not
expect you tonight, and that fellow Ia
one of my dearest fTiends.' y Zer sa
HMary, you are tIifling with me- Have
you forgotten what transplUed in the We
EaDda only last night?'' ea 1a 4
What Eeranda?n 50 Do
"That of Mrs. Goodwin's to be sure.'
You must be insane, doctor, OF are la
boring under some haliucinAtion. was
not in Mrs. Goodwln's veranda with you
for a single moment last night; and If you
made any engagements with any young