The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-06-02


daily sittings with us, but he threw no
more stones into the deep waters of Flea
nor's nature. s
Nothing could be more desirable than
that these two should love each other.
longed to beg Eleanor only to look into his
eyes, and see the interest written there, but
the words were never spoken. l left them
alone together whenever dared, and for
bade any Of my tribe, on peril of banish-
ment, to make the least approach toa joke
on my matchmaking. l said word Or
two of my hope to Mr.. Eustace but he was
utterly sceptical "Eleanor is too cold
and calm to love any man, and too con-
scientious to marry without it, should
like to see the man who should be bold
enough to kiss her, Walking up to the
cannon's mouth would be nothing to it.
wanted to see him, too but as the
days went on and Havilaud's departure
began to be talked of, ! was forced to
think that he was not to be that bold
man.
Eleanor was very busy with Hugh's out
flt; he had been at the Naval School, and
now had conspired with Haviland to sail in
the same ship.
The Winona was under repairs at St.
Bo's, and Mr.. Eustace and Eleanor went
there with Hugh, staying at the hotel for
week to buy the last things and say the
last words.
Eleanor came home so wan and haggard
that for many weeks there might as well
have been ghost in the house. It was
very difficult to offer consolation when none
was asked OF expected, but could not al
together refrain.
81 had no idea you loved that boy so
much, " said, awkwardly.
"You are very good, but am afraid
cannot talk about it, was the discouraging
reply.
eff you can love a brother so much, how
you would worship husband" l said,
trembling at my own bravery in thus
walking over her boundaries.
Eleanor actually laughed
"Do you know" went on, 81 think
Haviland was just ready to fall in love with
you If you had given him the least crumb
of encouragement"
did he tell you so?''
"No; but one could see it with half an
eye."
"You are very clear-sighted in such mat
ters perhaps"
81 have lived longer than you, Eleanor,
and know that a man cannot go all the
way to a woman; she ought to take the
least little step towards him."
81 could not do that" said Eleanor.
"Oh, know it and SO you have let
the best fellow on earth slip away from
you p
Nature made him and then broke the
mould" said Eleanor, with a smile.
"You did not know him as did,"
"I dare say did not"
"But when he comes home again, if he
is in the same mind, will you try to like
him"
ayes, 1 think l may safely promise
that"
The tears came to my eyes in my earnest
ness, and all at once l found Eleanor cry
ing too, like any other woman.
"My dear little step-mother," she said,
"you have my fathers worries and your
own to bear will not trouble you to carry
mine"
Then she left me, and l could not help
thinking that she might love Haviland
after all.
Eleanor came slowly out of her sorrow
for Hugh's departure, and we settled into the
quiet routine which seemed likely to last
forever. The Winona was spoken at sea
occasionally, and very thick letters came
for Eleanor, of which she would read a page
Or two aloud anG keep all the rest for her
own hunger. Nearly two years went by,
and we began to speak of Hugh's return.
A sweet cheerfulness that had never seen
before in Eleanor seemed to crop out of
her glad heart. was very happy with my
ep-daughter. There was not cloud as
big as a mans hand in our sky, when Flea
nor pointed out to me with trembling fin
ger line in the newspaper, Her eyes
besought me to tell her that she had read
it wrong. 1t was Winona telegram she
had been struck in the night by an English
steamer, and sunk with all on board.
AS she rose up and fled away with hel
grief, like wounded animal, the lines o.
her face were drawn and settled like those
of middle-aged woman.
How does Eleanor bear it ?" was Mr.
| Enainneis fret nnnsiinn his own frrief 20