The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-10-16

py lInpeTcepllDlc ueBreeS JeHllle grew
afraid of Mark Maldon. lie had never
uttered one word of love to her after her
marriage, nor had he seemed to like her
husband the less but somehow when
ever she saw Marks white and swollen
face coming In ut the door, OF beheld in
the distant woods his bent and furtive
figure gliding softly over the broken
twigs and dry grass like "a ghost, her
heart felt a nervous pang, and she wished
he would go away to live somewhere
else, or-was It wicked Y-that he might
even die and be at rest
Matters went on much as usual till
one evening in October, when, about 10
O'Clock, looking up from her sewing,
Jennie beheld pallid face at the win
dow staring in at her intently.
Something jumped into her throat,
and she could not stir or speak. But
then the face went away, and presently
the door opened and Mark came into
the shop.
Didn't know me-" he said, ad-
vancing and leaning across the counter
" hope you are not frightened, Jennie.
1t was thoughtless of me; but i just
wanted peep at fireside-comfort, q hap
piness fear L have missed, eh You
did look so cozy and content sitting
there, and I'd give something handsome
to have pretty wife waiting at the
hearth for me; and really you mustn't
mind my eavesdropping, Jennie, will
youp"
There was something mournful in his
looks, voice and words that touched her
deeply; and this was the more notice
able from the fact that for once he was
entirely sober
Yes, Mark, you frightened me ter
ribly; but it's gone now. Why don't
you do better-you know what mean
and / am sure you will not find it hard
to get the pretty wife and the domestic
happiness both.'
He shook his head.
"Too late I've missed my tip. L
don't blame anybody, though-only my
luck, you know. Joe is due pretty soon
now, isn't he ?" He glanced at the
clock and nodded, and then said: " I've
felt awfully tired and cold all the eve
ming, and-and lonesome. 1 don't be-
lieve ever knew myself to be so lonely
BEFORE" and he laughed in melan-
choly way, fiddling at the same time
with the scales on the counter. "And
/ declare" he went on, glancing around
oddly, this is such pretty scene that
tit makes my heart ache, Jennie, to
think 1 have no share in it. The
pleasant glow of the chimney corner for
Joe, and the cold snow for Mark Such
is fate, and a fellow oughtn't complain,
ought he?
Jennie never felt so uncomfortable in
her life. She was not afraid of him any
longer; but she wished he would co.
Still he stood there, talking in the same
melancholy strain, and at length came
the shrill scream of the engines whistle
outside, and then, very soon after, en-
tered Joe, smoky and begrimmed, but
all smiles and good humor.
"Four minutes late,' said Mark,
glancing at the clock.
6 Yes; my fireman was taken sick at
the Cut above" said Joe, after kissing
his wife as usual, "and made the run
from the last station alone. l don't
know what Pm to do unless-By
Jovel 1 just thought of It'll can get
you to go on with me, Mark
"The company mightn't like it, Joe,n
said Mark, with the same strange, de-
pressed smile.
g In case like this there's no choice.
1 cannot keep my train here all night,
and can't go on without fireman.
Come, I'll take the responsibility and
make it worth your while"
Jennie looked uneasy. Mark Maldon
rubbed his hands together in feeble,
imbecile sort of way, hesitating-
The company didn't treat me right"
he replied; " but that wasn't your fault,
Joe. Well, I'll help you out. always
do friendly turn when cam"
Good ! There's the express now,"
added Joe, as the whistle of No. 20
sounded, and the train.went laundering
by. " Let's get aboard at once. / must
make up for lost time.'
"Very'well I'll just get my coat and
be on the engine in two minutes.p And
Mark Maldon hurried out
"Good-by, Jennie" said Joe. 81
must be off"
| "Joe," she hesitated, "I half wish