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


'turpeutinesw walks, and Mary Norris raised
a pretty, laughing face to the assembled
company, which consisted Of the elite of
Brownsville, with some of the lower strata.
-The,little, village boastod not of its num-
bers as it did of its pretty girls and Mrs.
Goodwin was resolved TO have her quilt
finished, by fair means or by foul, and, be-
ing desperate, had scraped Brownsville for
her quilting bee. The usual gossip was at
its height when it was interrupted by the
appeal of Mary Norris to Mrs. Goodwin,
,wkose,interest it was to have every line
perfect, and to keep the social machine in
running order. So she hustled about and
soon gotNMary to work again.
''I wonder" said Jennie Haskins, "if
Mary tFrazieris coming to-dayP"
''Goodness knows She is terribly
fashionable and aristocratic," returned one
of the lower set.
"Oh, she is coming" interrupted the
hostess; Hsbe promised me not to fail, she
is such a quiet, undemonstrative little
thing that-she will accomplish a good deal
even If she does come late"
'eShe wouldn't be fashionable and like
city people, If she came as early as the
rest" putin another Of the lower strata
"For my part, I,wish she would stay away
entirely. We can live without such stuck
up"
The sentence remained unfinished, for
at that moment the lovely face of Miss
Frazier looked in upon them with pleas
ant smile. In her quiet manner she had
glided in at side door, removed her hat
and gloves without disturbing the hostess,
and then surprised them. Mrs Goodwin
greeted her warmly, and as usual, with
much fuss and hustle, she was seated at
the,auilt, .whereher slight, deft fingers, as
Mrs. Goodwin had predicted, soon began
ito trace line after line in her exquisite and
neat fashion, and to outdo many who had
come earlier.
AL the people who could be picked into
pieces were, and Brownsville had to pass
Through the social feminine mangle cus-
tOmary upon such occasions, and yet,
strange to say, survived. After tea the
gathering of the rustic swains began
Among them came handsome DIR. Collins
and his old bachelor friend, DIR. Peters
0f'course the entire unmarried portion of
the other sex were setting their caps for
the handsome young physician, and were
doing all they could to increase his vanity
and spoil him generally Upon the present
occasion he Joined right merrily in the
country games, rOmped with Mary Norris,
and paid more than one forfeit upon her
red, pouting lips. Indeed, he seemed to
Gevel in sweets, for the most of the girls,
though making show Of resentment when
he kissed them, evidently sought or chal-
lenged such liberties-all hut quiet, little
Mary Frazier. She stole into out-of-the-
way oonners, and more than once slipped
out of the hands of those who sought to
drag her into their plays. 1t was whisper
ed again that she was too aristocratic to
mingle with the common herd, though in
truth, from having been reared in a city
she was unprepared TO permit such hber-
ties. Her extremely delicate nature
shunnk from becoming public property
Her lips were reserved for him who should
win her love, and were not to be desecrat-
ed. But that she had cast longing eyes
upon the handsome physician was not to
be denied. Yet, even the most careful OBJ
server had not been able to detect the
fact--a higher color or sudden bounding of
the heart at the sound Of his voice when he
addressed her In tones always deferential
and polite, as Il he was just little frozen
or awed by her manner.
Mirth reigned fast and furious as the
evening waned. Chains were overturned
in the bOisterons game of blindman's buff,
while dresses and sashes Suffered sadly
The doctor, seeing Mary NOrris dash out
of the front door, followed her, resolved
upon the spur of the moment) to seize the
time to disclose his love. Such an even.
had been one Of the things Of the future,
fiat all Until now he had not given much
thought TO it, but her saucy hack eyes,
and sweet, warm kisses had comFleted his
enthraIment. Out under the ydDe-covered
porch Of the Goodwin cottage, where he
could distinctly trace the soft Outlines of
his love ia her feecy-white dress, he fol-
lowed, and gaining her side, whispered
Mary, must leave now. have a
patient to visit tonight, but cannot tear
myself away without telling you how aueh
love you"
One little hand was clingink TO the treL
lis as he spoke, and dimly tracing the GOV.