The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-02-12

face, heard the hacking cough, and de-
termined to make himself known, and
to stand by and do his best to help his
old friend in his last trouble. He did so.
Through long months of illness he
nursed him, and when at last he ex-
pressed wish to be buried amongst the
New Hampshire hills, where, six months
before his departure he had laid pretty
golden haired little creature, and tiny
baby, whom he called wife and child,
Frank readily assented.
They came home. Fred did not live
Frank had seen the last rites performed
he came back to New York, and settled
down to moping. In this laudable occu-
patton he passed the spring months. AS
soon as summer set in, he posted off to
a pretty New England watering place,
known to him in his boyhood. He hoped
to find it as retired and deserted as it
used to be. 1t wasn't, however. Dur
ing his absence civilization had taken
gigantic strides. In its course it had
embraced the modest little fishing ham
let of Compton Shoals. beautified it
with handsome villas, and, during the
summer season, populated it with a
giddy crowd of fashionable people,
Frank was surprised, but too lazy to
beat retreat. He repented his laziness,
short time afterward. "A whole party
of his old friends, with a lot of stran-
gers, came to Compton Shoals, and set
tied for the summer. There was no es-
cape, so he faced the music. He possess
ed all the ease of a travelled gentleman,
was handsome, rich and talented, but
imprehensbly reticent. Nor was he at
all awkward about it. He had way of
making it seem the most natural thing
in the world that he should remain ST.
lent. The young people of the party al
though admitting his politeness, good
looks, etc., kept away from him. "He
was so glum." the fellows said. $50
uninteresting," the maidens lisped.-
Frank was happy. He could smoke his
pipe, or rather, cigar, in peace.
There was one exception to the gener-
al rule of fair ones. 1t was Cathie Kent.
Unlike most women, she enjoyed keep
ing her tongue still. There seemed to be
some sort of an affinity between Car
ruthers and herself. They were intro
duced, and after that were much to-
gether. The result recorded above was
perfectly natural one. She sat think
ing for long time, trying to fathom the
mystery that clung about this singular
individual She failed. The singular
individual" meanwhile, sat smoking
and whistling with imperturbable and
musical calmness. 1t irritated her.
At last he broke the silence.
:" Pretty craft" he said, pointing to a
beautifully outlined vessel that was
sailing by, "Pretty craft. Neat looking
ships are handsomer than horses or
women. They're like women, though.
Fair weather is nice enough, they glide
along smoothly; stormy weather comes,
they pitch and roll, break to pieces, and
leave you to take care of yourself. The
fair sex does the same"
Nonsense" she replied, stoutly, cit
isn't so. You men are towards, or rather
weather heroes. When adversely
comes, you seek us women for consola-
ton, and we give it TO you. We are
fools for our pains"
"Know it. You'll never be fool
though. Won't have as good a chance
again as you threw away this morn
ing"
"Pah -
:" No, you won't. Mark my words. -
'Don't want it,"
"Come to think you may, though"
cop
" But it won't be legal. Compulsory
marriage. Fellow cornered by maiden
fair A hundred FOUNDER pointed at his
head. Marry me or die, the demand
He yields. Paterfamilias Kent gets rid
of an unmarriageable daughter. Re
joicing accordingly. Pity the prosecuted
spouse"
"Sir!"
Madam ~
You are insufferably impudent :
good morning !"
Don't hurry. You may stay. Don't
want to send you away. Feel good
humored to-day, can tolerate you.-
I'll permit you to remain"
Thank you for your excessive kind
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