The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-04-17

| young. a.I
Seating herself at the table, she drew
toward her a writing desk, and wrote as
follows
" DEAR COUSIN PnfLIP - Since our
interview OF yesterday l have thought
| the matter over, and come to the con-
clusion that II will be best that we
should not marry. Do not blame me-
do not question me, ever. i have rea-
sons which / cannot explain, but act as
l think will be best for us both.
LENA"
Where Is Miss Cameron =" ques-
toned Philip of the servant who hand
ed him the note.
"Gone over to Elmwood, sir, to her
aunt, Mrs. Page. heard her say she
should stay there until her return to the
city in few days"
An hour after Philip Chester was on
his way to Elmwood. The path was
lonely, leading through a sequestered
wood, and he was consequently sur
prised when, at an abrupt turning, he
came suddenly face to face with young
lady-very tall, very handsome, and at
plume. Philip lifted his hat respectful
ly, and would have passed on, but the
lady paused full in the path before him.
Excuse me you are Mr.. Philip
Chester?"
He bowed.
And am Josephine Dashwood."
In his surprise he hardly knew what
to say. :" i did not know - / was not
aware of Miss Dashwood's being in the
neighborhood.
" dare say not. You were expect
ing, perhaps, you and your honored
father, to behold me for the first time at
the residence of my respected uncle and
| guardian, Simon Walder, Esquire. But
| you see was too anxious to wait, so /
concluded to run down for day or
two to Elmwood on the strength of
Mrs. Page being an old friend of my
mother. / wanted to see you, Mr..
| Chester"
You do me honor" said Philip, puz-
zled in what manner to treat this frank
avowal. The young lady meanwhile
carelessly played with her horses name.
g. am glad of this accidental meet
ing" she resumed, I" for l was Just
thinking how it would be possible to
obtain a private interview"
Philip started.
81 believe" continued she, coolly,
that there has been some arrangement
made concerning us by those two old
mean by your much honored father
and my highly respected uncle-a little
matrimonial scheme, if am not mis-
takeh. Very kind of them, doubtless,
though it might have been kinder to
have left us to choose for ourselves, and
be happy in our own way"
A faint gleam of hope began to dawn
on Philip.
81 want to tell you secret, Mr..
Chester. May trust your"
elf you will do me the honor" he re-
piled, still coldly.
"Ah, l see you don't like me, but you
will after while. This, then, is my Sc
cret, L am in love = pray don't be
alarmed-not with you"
Thank you !" said he, almost invol-
UNFAIRLY.
"With very handsome, very clever,
very worthy and deserving young man" Z"
resumed Miss Eastwood, with unmov-
ed seriousness" but poor. And you
are in love with one equally perfect, but
suffering under the same stigma"
She looked at him seriously, now,
with her dark eyes, and he met the gaze
frankly.
"Now, we understand each other"
she said, resuming her former tone and
manner; "and now we can act as seems
best to under the circumstances. 1t won I
do to rebel openly against those two old
fogies-I beg their pardons-those wise
and venerable old gentlemen; but we
can manage quietly to circumvent them
and have our own way-can't we?''
Perhaps you have formed some plan
to that effect ?" said Philip, half amused
and half interested.
"You shall hear" she answered. ]
am told that you dear, delightful father
admires 'dashing ladies', wants dash.
ing daughter-in-law and mistress of his
establishment. You will dine tomorrow
at Elmwood. Be sure not to disappoint
Mrs. Page, who knows all about it, anC
takes tender motherly interest in tn,
affair. We will see whether the ole
gentleman is satisfied with his choser