The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-11-19

Oul W OpeJs
The company were just taking their
places for the picnic, and Florry stood
quite still, looking anxiously around
for her escort, who had excused him
self half an hour before, and had not yet
returned.
Five minutes more slipped by, and
still he did not come. She felt gyieved
and mortified. He had never been SO
neglectful of her before. What could be
the matterp
Where is Mr.. Ducey?" some one
asked.
His protracted absence was now for
the first time generally noticed.
Yes where is he ? from chorus of
voices.
What have you done with your
cavalier, Florry ?" Mabel Townley broke
in. You must learn to take care of him
in the future?"
I" He is old enough TO take care of
himself" said Florry, lightly, yet with
very red flush on either cheek.
every true" whispered Mrs. Digby,
confidentially, to Tom Lacy. He's
five-and-t thirty if he's day. TO think
of such chit of a girl as Florry Castle
marrying a man old enough to be her
father-the very idea ~
Mr.. Lacy, as in duty bound, agreed
with every thing that the enchantress
said.
I'VE must find him" said somebody.
" He may have met with an accident.n
And dozen of the party hastened off
in various directions through the grove
in search of Casper Ducey.
One of the girls found out at last, as a
little scream attested, and they were all
around him in moment. He was ly-
ing PROSTATE on the ground just within
the shelter of a little thicket not far
away, with his eyes closed and his face
looking swollen and purple.
" What is the matter 7"
SIS he dead"
I" He is in fit"
Three or four girls screamed in o
breath; the gentleman looked at him
hard, then at the other, but said moth
ing.
DIR. Granton glanced at the red, bloat-
ed face then ruefully at Florry.
" Speak she cried, with very pale lips;
sis he dead"
6 He is drunk !" exclaimed Jack Blunt
one of the party, who did not admire
Ducey.
She was silent a moment, standing
motionless as u marble, staring into
vacancy, like one in dream. Then
the pallor in her face gave place to hot
angry flush, and her black eyes flashed
as she answer, "And this is true p"
There was no denial, and she went on !:
"Then he is dead to me. ] never wish
to look upon his face again. 1 want him
to know how utterly scorn him after
what has happened. Give me pencil
and bit of paper, John; L will write a
few lines for him to read when he comes
out of his stupor. Then 1 wish you to
take me home"
She had finished in a moment.
You shall all hear it," she said
bravely. 4" 1t is not love letter.
She stood up in the midst of the ex-
cited throng, whose eyes were all fixed
eagerly on her resolute little face, and
read what she had written:
" Mr.. DUCEY Il scorn and detest
you! L never want to see you again.
FLORENCE CASTLE"
|
1t was very brief, very concise but it
answered Florry's purpose-it was to
the point. She bent over and drew
something from the breast pocket of
his coat. 1t was a small flask. Then
she rolled the paper up and thrust it
through dainty little ring which she
had slipped from her finger. Next she
drew the stopper, and after emptying
the contents upon the grass, replacing
it with the roll of paper. Then she
put the flask back where she had found
it.
6 He will discover it there soonest, {"
she said simply. Come, John; we
will go now"
The grove was deserted in few min
utes, and Casper Ducey, in his drunken
slumber, was the sole occupant. They
never saw him again. His reign was
over. One of the places that knew him
once knows him no more, and that
place is Boroville.
What John and Florry said that af-
ternoon as they rode home we will not