The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-03-20
NO. r..

that was the poor girl you met OH the
street that dreadful night when my
mother was so i'll, and you befriended
usH Am ] so much changed that you
did not know me ?"
No. he answered; but thought
Thought that had such foolish,
false pride that shrank from aclSnowl-
edging my Indebtedness to you, and re-
calling my former pride and wretched-
ness" she interrupted, her soft eyes
filling with tears and her lips quivering
with suppressed emotion. Il am sorry,
but you have had good reason. My
uncle is always so annoyed by any al
lusion to that miserable time-it wounds
his pride,an besides that he reproaches
himself so bitterly for ignorantly allow
ing my mother to struggle and suffer as
she did, and / have never dared to
speak of it before him. In fact, / re-
sorted to ruse TO induce him to have
you attend him, telling him though the
names were the same, the DIR. Burgess
he remembered was rich, and probably
still abroad"
"Then you recognized me yourself at
once 2"
Certainly, and / am notso migrate
full as have seemed. have so longed
for an opportunity to thank you, though
words never can for all you did for u.s."
Do not say any more about it, Miss
Gresham" said Hal, much embarrass-
ed. 1t was trifling service was 30
fortunate as to render you, and you
may be sure / should never have re-
minded you of it,
But feel under such weight of
unacknowledged Obligation" she pro,
tested, earnestly, "and besides i think j
may venture to tell my uncle now
You have become such favorite with
him that 1 think he will be able to for
give you even for your charity to u.s."
Hal WINGED at the words spoke half
playfully, yet with genuine humility.
=" i assure you, Miss Laura, there Is no
such debt of gratitude between US as you
assume any benefit L was to you of
that time has already been more than
repaid by the patronage which has been
secured for me through your uncie's in
fiueDce since came to your city poor,
unknown physician"
She shook her head incredulousIy.
"That is nothing. Your own talent
would have secured it all without any
aid from u.s. do wish there were any
way in which I could repay you."
"There is one,'' he said, yielding to
sudden impulse as he looked down into
her eager eyes, but mott would sup
pose the original debt increased by such
enormous usury, that dare not propose
/ it,"
"Our estimates might differ,' she
murmured, the long lashes dropping
shyly, and the tell-tale color flushing
her cheeks.
"All debts are more than cancelled by
the gift of love, was the reply.
A few mornings later, Laura leaned
over the back of her uncle's chair, and
said coaxingly:
''Dr. Burgess has done you great
deal of good, uncle; should think you
would like to make him present"
So would, Laura, so / would
What shall it be? You may select it,"
"Well, uncle, it isa strange fancy, but
he thinks he would like me-"
"Youl" cried Mr.. Rhodes, in utter
astonishment. Even as well as / like
the fellow, that is little too much"
"Oh, don't say that, uncle, answered
Laura, blushing. ''Tbink of all his
services and kind attentions to you, as /
am sure owe him everything-for he
proved to the very DIR. Burgess who be-
friended me when was in such sore
trouble"
The old gentleman sat speechless for
some moments, engrossed by conflicting
emotions.
''You said I might choose the pres
ent for him. urged Laura, timidly,
and it really will not be giving me
away, for we shall belong to you"
Her uncle kissed her fondly and Hal,
appearing at that instant to the door
way, he called to him;
''This little woman has pleaded your
case so we'll that all is left for me to say
is, take her and be happy
g. If you are determined to get the
beam out of your own eye before you put
your fingers into your brothers. eye to
get his mote out, you will probably be
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