The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-08-14

her, and that's what makes my position
so very peculiar"
A very pretty girl was Barbara Haw-
kins ; even prettier than her step-moth-
er, and that was saying something in
spite of the Widows thirty years.
A bit of belle, too was the 'squire's
"heiress" in that unambtious rural
community, and by no means without
some characteristics which put the viii
lage gossips at times in mind of Squire
Hawkins fust wife,
AT the present juncture, however, the
public opinion of the Dorcas Society was
more than usually perpleXed. The best
judges of such matters were inclined to
''guess Bill Emmons is leetle ahead"
although this was sure to be followed by
the remark "But then, you know Dan
Growers got ten ten dollars to Bill's one
and he's a mighty sight stiddier."
And Barbara was in worse quandary
about it than the Dorcas Society knew
how to be, for at times she almost sus-
pected her heart of threatening an i'm
pertinent interference before her head
could have fair chance.
"She'd be entitled to third, sup
pose," soliloquized the fair maiden, 'and
she's wonderful hand with the needle.
There's no danger of her starving
There's lots of folks'd be glad enough to
have her come and live with them"
And Barbara did not know it, but
train of thought very nearly related to
her own was at that moment passing
through the mind of the widow, as she
stepped lightly to and fro among the
household duties, of which she kindly
relieved her step-daughter.
CT don't hear the piano." murmured
the soft, low voice of the widow, "and
yet know she wanted to practice that
new piece. Young Emmons1l be here
this evening. L ought not to say word
in such matter. She's old enough to
decide for herself, but why can't she see
that Dan Growers worth five hundred
of him ?-not to mention his big farm,
and that's something nowadays.
won't put that in her head, however
not for the world. I've been paid dear
ly enough for making just that sort of
mistake. Better have gone out to SER
vice or taken in sewing. That's what L
may have to do when Barbara's mar
ried."
The neat, tidy figure paused in the
kitchen doorway as she said that, and
shade of darkness swept across her
face.
Live in the house with Bill EN-
mons for the master of it ?" she ex-
claimed after pause. "Not I, indeed
She won't have sense enough to settle
on Dan Grover, Pm afraid. Would L
stay, then, if she didp Not so long as
could earn or beg some other shelter. !"
The last exclamation came out with
unnecessary energy, and the widow
caught up broom and made an imme-
diate assault on the kitchen floor.
The sweeping was very unnecessary
indeed.
Barbara had clearly misunderstood
her step-mother, and the widow had
also failed to penetrate the mind of the
'squire's pretty and sensible representa-
tive.
That was only too good reason why
the sheet of music forwarded by Mr..
Emmons had received so little attention
that afternoon.
Barbara's morning walk had carried
her past the old homestead of the
Growers, now the sole property of the
present family representative, and she
had noted only too precisely the reno
waiting and beautifying process on which
Dan was expending half the proceeds of
that years liberal wheat crop.
Carpenters, glaciers, painters, and all
the Dorcas Society was in arms, she
knew, about the extravagant waste with
which the old-fashioned interior was
Transforming.
More than one village critic had added
to his other charitable thoughts the sur
mise: " Looks kinder bad for Bill EN-
! mons )" and Barbara herself could have
assured them Of the correctness of their
reasoning.
She was too kind hearted, however,
| not to add to herself: $50 much the bet
ter, too for Mr.. Hawkins. Neither Dan
nor would object to her living at the
old place till we could find buyer.
only wish she could raise the money and
buy it herself"
| 1t WAS. therefore. as the mistress al