The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-12-24

Aytoun determined, III possible, TO gain
the acquaintance Of Ma IN m'selle Lascours.
Accordingly, the next day, Allan dis
patched, with an exquisite bouquet of
flowers, entreating the acquaintance OF
Nam 'selle Lascours, who had deigned
to wear his ornaments, and begging an
introduction for his mother, his sister,
and himself. The answer to this note
he awaited with all due impatence.
This answer would probably never
have met any eye but his own, not even
his mothers, had not the letter fallen
into Grace's hands.
She went TO his lodgings for book
which she had left there, and finding the
letter waiting, took it in her pocket to
give 1t to him, supposing they should
meet at dinner, before he returned to his
rooms. In this supposition she was
right; but, alas the letter lay forgotten
In her pocket, and, as Allan forebore to
speak of it-athough 1t was the chief
object of his thoughts-it was not forth
coming until night, when, paying his
evening visit to his mother and sister,
Allan complained dejectedly that his
offering and advances had received
slight. Then Grace bethought herself
of the letter in pocket, and hastily
brought 1t to the light. The writing was
in free masculine hand, but the en-
velope bore the mark of the theatre
whence 1t had been sent.
From the lovely Lascours," Grace
said, thanking you for your gift. Some
other lover wrote the address, probably.
Either he is confident of his position, or
devoid of jealousy"
Allan held the letter in his hand, re-
garding the writing with dismay. His
impulse had been to rush away with the
mssive to his lodgings, and devour the
contents there in solitude, but the sus-
picion of another lover, confirmed by
the address, decided him to open it
where he stood by the mantel, in the
full blaze of the gaslight.
Suddenly he flung the letter from
him, after crushing 1t in his hand, and
trod it under his foot.
Allan, my son." exclaimed Mrs.
Aytoun, rising from her seat, and ap-
preaching him with distressed and
compassionate countenance, " Allan J"
He groaned, hiding his face in his
hands, while Grace, terrified and won
dering, regarded him with dilating
eyes.
The low-bOrn creaturel'' she ex-
claimed !; what has she dared to say to
you ?'
els it from Ma I'm 'selle Lacours ?"
asked Mrs. Aytoun, STOPPING and pick
ing up the trampled note. May L
read it ?"
Allan only bowed his head little
lower, in misery of wounded pride. His
mother read the motion as assent, and
her eyes glanced carefully over the fol-
lowing
DEAR MADAM for your fine rlting
be trays you are woman as L am
man. You have discovered the trick
and had of course rite to trick me in
turn, for l spose you are the mighty
pretty girl that sat with you and the
other lady the other evening when L
wore your silver and acknowledged the
same. / should like the pleasure of
your acquaintance very much only Pm
going away soon and nothing might
come of it after all. I've bin playing
make believe the other sex so long |
mightn't t know what to say fancy, eff L
had the chance. Eff you regret partin
with the silver you ken have it back
again as / have quantities of trinkets,
and aint going to be M 'amselle Lascours
or anybody else after some few weeks
longer, and am glad as 1t makes most of
my lovers awful mad when they git
wind of the joke: Adoringly,
JACK JERRIMAN, alias
M'AMsELLE DEsIREE LAsCoURs."
Allan's mothers fairly stared after
perusing this singular epistle.
Somebody wrote it," she said.
"Of course they didl" said Allan
Its the''- And Allan shook his
head, incapable of further utterance.
Hush-sh !" and his mothers hand
closed over his mouth. Depend upon
it, Allan, this is the work of some idle
wag You will hear from Nam 'selle
Lascours tomorrow"
Tomorrow !" said Allan, starting up
fiercely.
And, despite his mothers caution and
Grace's entreaties, he departed in search
of the scoundrel who had cheated him,
or the woman whose neglect had proved
SO sore trial to his pride and patience.
While he was gone, Grace read the
letter, and, though full of indignation
and chagrin for Allan's sake, neverthe-