The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-06-05

They emerged from the tunnel, and
what was the chagrln of the young lady
to discover that she was imprisoning
her.companion' hand in the pocket Of
his own linen duster.
"Oh beg your pardon !" stam-
mered Rhoda, feeling very much like
the culprit for whom she had mistaken
the stranger.
You are very excusable," he replied,
gazing in wonder at her blushing coun-
tenance, while his face seemed to be an
Interrogation point.
Rhoda felt that, In justification to her.
SELF some explanationSwas necessary, but
with sense of modification, she re-
membered that the only one she had to
offer was the reverse of complimentary.
81 thought" she began" that is
Aunt Ann said you were-I mean, 1
thought it was my pocket-and mis-
took you for "a"
Pickpocket ?" asked the stranger, as
the truth began to dawn upon him and
his eyes twinkled with sense of the
ludicrous situation.
Yes" answered Rhoda, desperately,
while her bushes deepened into scarlet.
"And so was to be brought to jus
tice, suppose, and delivered up to the
police at the next station" And the
dark eyes danced behind the spectacles
with merriment.
DO please forgive mel" replied Rho
da. 81 have never travelled alone be-
fore, and have been from home but
very little"
Well" was the laughing retort, "I'll
forgive you for putting your hand in my
pocket. Now see how much more mer-
ciful l am than you intended to bel"
But Rhoda was in no mood for laugh
ter she felt that she had disgraced her
self; and every time the train stopped
she wished that her companion would
leave, and that she might never see him
again. She was doomed to be disappoin-
ed, however, for the cars were nearing
her own destination, and the stranger
was still with her.
Belleville !" shouted the conductor,
and the inexperienced little traveller
sprang to her feet, fancying that there
was not moment to lose.
1" 1 will bid you goodbye" she remark
ed, triumphantly.
Oh, don't be in hurry" was the
reply; there is plenty of time. l stop
here, too"
Provoking ~ thought Rhoda. "Now
shall be constantly meeting him. 1
wish the summer was over"
Rhoda's friends were at the depot ready
to smother her with kisses.
Did you have pleasant journey ?"
asked Miss Townsend, as they were
driving to the one large hotel of which
Belleville boasts.
"l was somewhat lonely" replied
Rhoda.
Duncan Rivers came on the train
with you. He is quite distinguished
lawyer from Philadelphia, with any
amount of wealth, which he inherited
from an uncle. L wonder if you saw
him. He is tall, with dark whiskers, and
wears SpecldcleS.
/ was reading good deal of the
time" remarked Rhoda, ,evasively, "and
paid very little attention to the passen-
gers"
Her friends wondered why the warm
blood mantled her cheeks.
On their way to the dining-room, Mr..
Rivers came up and shook hands with
the Townsend family; and Nina imme-
diately presented HIM to her particular
friend and schoolmate, Miss Clare"
"Miss Clare's face is familiar" re-
marked the gentleman, roguishly,
"Were you not on the train this after
noon ?"
Again the roses deepened on the soft,
dimpled cheeks, adding new brightness
to the dark violet eyes; and Nina Won
dered if any masculine heart could re-
sist the innocence, and freshness, and
beauty of that fair face.
Belleville was not place in which
people could spend their time yawning
and going to sleep. The shaded walks
and beautiful drives, the magnificent
scenery, with the noble old mountains
frowning down upon the river, which
sparkled in the sunshine-all these
proved to have greater fascination for
the young people than the cosy ,old-fash-
ioned hotel, surrounded, as it was, by
great spreading trees, and looking so in
vitingly cool to the weary pedestrian.
Although Belleville boasted of many