The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-02-04
to her own room there to shed few not un
natural tears.

first time for months. The committee was
to meet at II, to examine the candidates fol
! the teachers positions.
Old Farmer Parson walked over also
Farmer Brown. The Doctor was there, and
the lawyer, Mr.. Triphammer. Miss Cynthia
Alderny was seen walking toward the door
with defiant face. Miss Baker followed
with a scared one. Marcus Moreland took
his way in, and Just as all settled into their
seats, little figure in buff linen, with a
blue-ribboned hat on its head, slipped into
one of the doors and stood among them.
Miss Dimple?" said the Doctor, advanc-
ing with a gallant air.
ayes, sir" said May, quietly, 81 under
stand you examine candidates to-day. am
fond of teaching, and when one must do
something, one seizes every chance, you
know. May be examined?"
81 suppose you are jesting. Miss Dimple?''
said the doctor.
"Not l." said May. 81 suppose you have
heard that foolish story about me. Two or
three hundred dollars may be a very pleas
ant little sum to spend on summer vacation
but it doesn't make one q great heiress, you
know"
"Folks will talk" said Farmer Parsons
with twinkle in his eyes.
"a poor gal is as respectable as a rich one,
long as she conducts proper. Set you down
Miss Dimple."
The doctor retired to his seat, his face
pale and rigid. Marcus Moreland, on the
contrary, had flushed scarlet.
Mays two lovers were strange contrast
at that moment. For her own part, she was
queter and sadder and more womanly than
usual.
She went through the examination brave
ly, under tire fire of Miss Cynthias indig-
nant eyes, and amid Miss Bakers despond-
ent sighs. Then she walked home and
waited as she promised, in the garden.
Would the doctor keep his engagement?
He did
"My dear Miss Dimple," said he, as he ad-
vanced gaily, but not quite naturally, 81
feared / should scarcely get here in time to
bid you goodbye. Pm sorry the committee
think you too young for the place. They've
given it to Miss Cynthia. Really, it would
be very dull for you, very. / told you had
something very particular to say to you
didn't /? You remember, 1 see l didn't
think you would. l wanted to say that
have really enjoyed your little visit to
this place so much. Ladies' society is q
treat to a poor old bachelor who expects to
be a bachelor all his life, by the way. You
know what the society is here, Miss Dimple
and you've quite frightened the summer for
me. I've had treat. So that's what |
wanted to tell you, and bid you last good
bye"
Goodbye, DR.. Purl," said May, with a
smile.
The man who had made such desperate
love to her the other day, who had defined
his intentions towards her in a manner that
no girl could misunderstood, had slipped
calmly and smoothly out of the affair, and
she could match him in coolness, girl as she
was.
They shook hands.
"Adieu," said the doctor, with the true
PARTISAN accent and jumped into his gig,
thanking heaven that he had escaped max
ing an offer to poor girl.
The heiress stood by the gate where he
had left her, thanking heaven more devout-
ly for her escape. Yet | shall not say she
was happy. 1t was not in nature for she
had thought this man her true, earnest low
er. The first bitter thought that had ever
troubled her young heart filled itnow; her first
glimpse of real life was taken. As she stood
there she began to doubt that there was such
a thing as true love.
A tearor two fell she wiped them away
and through the mist that veiled her eyes
she saw bright, ardent young face, strange
ly in contrast with the cool, formal, unmov-
ed countenance, with its handsome features
and practiced smile that had just passed
from before her vision. 1t was the face OF
Marcus Moreland and before she was aware
of his intention he had passed his arm round
her waist and kissed her.
''If l never may again, must now" he
said. 81 have never dared to tell you while
l thought you so rich, but / have loved you
since the first day we met We are both
poor, let me fight the battle of life for you.
| can do it--I will do it. God always pros
pers loves like mine"
The twilight shadows were creeping over
the scene. The distant mountains were los
ing the faint rose tips that they had worn
A soft, sweet breeze swept up from the
meadows, full of the fragrance of grass and
clover. Did these things bring the sudden
calm and sweetness to Mays wounded
heart?
She stood still, making Marcus no answer
but she did not repulse him.
"Tell me that you like me little" plead
ed the boy
81 do like you, Marcus" said May, "bu
don't say any more just now; | can't tel
you why, but this is not the time. IL
just say goodbye now, Marcus. must g
away tomorrow, but | will write to you"
Remember, my love is life or death tC
me-" said Marcus, and they parted
One day when May felt that she had moth
ing but scorn for her fortune-h hunting doc
tor, she did write to Marcus Moreland, anC
what she said may be inferred from the fact
that they are to be married when the next
spring comes, and that the people at tn,
store, and doubtless the doctor also, know
that Farmer Parsons pretty young boarde
was really and actually an heiress, and tina
Farmer Parsons, shrewd old man witt
plenty of good sense, knew and approved o
the ruse that tested the heiress lovers al
along,