The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-07-30


never cared about being married, you
know"
els he relation of the rector ?" asked
Florence, willing to pursue the subject,
for to tell the truth she had been some
what moved by the sight of this stranger
she who met most men with indif-
ference.
Don't know, likely not; though
some say he is cousin of his wife. At
any rate he is distinguished, and all but
handsome-just the sort of man to make
a hero, don't you think so ?"
At that moment, in burst another fig
ure, dress and ringlets in disorder.
go girls, excuse me, but I'm in such
hurry. We're extemporizing picnic
to Sunbright Lake. It's capital day,
and papa says he will go - and Mr..
Arlington, that's papa's visitor-and we
must be all ready by eleven, with lunch
cons, and cape-bonnets, and hats, you
know. oh, dear I'm all out of BREATH"
She sank down rosy and painting. I'VE
shan't have many men, but there is
Amos Keith-Captain Keith, ought to
call him, to be sure-but then he's en-
gagged to Mary Danvers, so he's no COM
pany; then there's Willis, and Herbert
Anthon, and"--
willis is out of town; won't be
home till night" said Florence.
Well not much of loss," laughed
the little creature; he would have been
devoted to you. 1t does provoke me to
see these engaged people,
"We're not engaged, Minnie," said
Florence. 81 am surprised. This is
second time to-day L have heard what
is indeed news to me-"
"Oh, Pm glad of that ~ cried Min
ME, " for 1 never quite liked Willis; he
is so dark-looking. But it's the truth
that the engagement is spoken of every
where"
You may contradict by my authori-
ty," said Florence, calmly.
CT will, then but come-what about
our fun ? can't give it up. If you
must know, was the first one who
thought about it, and papa laughed at
me and doubted my success. This spur
red me. It's glorious day, neither too
hot nor too cool; and Wen have
one man there who isn't married or en-
gagged. Won't that be novelty ?"
And he's so fine looking" said Lett
tia.
isn't heY Papa says he never saw
a nobler specimen of manhood. You
should have heard papa and him pdrley
Uo,tS in French last night. 1t was splen-
did. Papa says he hasn't had such a
treat in great while says he is the
most finished French conversationalist
he ever met with out of Paris. What
do you think of that2 Brush up your
French, girls"
{" Dear me, hope he isn't a learned
man." said Letitia, piteously.
You would think so if you had seen
him romp with me last night. If there
wasn't curly headed little boy in the
army, for whom 1 have strong re-
gard" she added, laughing and blush
ing, I" L don't know what would be the
consequences. But come, girls; speak
quick; will you gop"
81 will" said Letitia, rising with de-
cision."
$50 will l." returned Florence, catch
ing the enthusiasm. "What shall we
carry ?"
"Oh, anything that will taste good
spread out on the grass. Mother is get
ting table-cloths and ware ready, and
Tiny is marking down, SO we must get
up party. Oh, dear I've got to go on
the hill for the Denlieghs and Am
hursts. Be sure and be at the depot at
eleven. Won't we have a merry
time 7"
Yes, Florence felt a strong present..
ment that she, at least, should enjoy the
occasion. She did not say so to herself
in just so many words, but is was an
immense relief to feel that she was not
to be followed about by the man whose
eyes had grown to be almost intolerable
to her. Once she had thought them
beautiful, for Willis was acknowledged
to be very handsome by everybody, and
yet, strange to say, he was not generally
liked Many people would say that il
was pity SO charming girl as Flor.
ence Maynard could be induced to like
him, for there was something uncanny
in his appearance. 1t was such pleas
ure to feel that nobody was watching
her, ar attending to every want, noting
every movement. Her spirits rose higt