The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-12-10

ed with a waiter, bearing supper for the
two. Under the genial influence of tea,
toast and jam, the housekeeper's temper
softened, and Miss Fairfeld's spirits
frightened. Both felt more inclined for
an old-lashioned, confidential gossip.
II think it strange that Barbara does
not write" Miss Fairfield said, laying
down her napkin and sinking back
among her pillows. 9 I'm afraid she is
not pleased with her visit. When mat
ters go rightly, she sends letters in
clouds. She always likes to communi-
cate good news"
Yes, y said the housekeeper, cautious
ly, perceiving that something was COM
ing,and anxious lest she should frighten
away the little news bird if she said too
much.
"Of course you have the interest of
the family at heart, and are perfectly
trustworthy in regard to all their af-
fairs" the lady continued, in conf
Dental tone.
" Certainly" said the other, expan-
sively; "I've been here now ten years,
and if it were my own mother and chill
dren, l couldn't be more bound up in
'em. Mrs. Burkhardt knows that I'd
stick to the family through thick and
thin. I'm sure I've kept mum about
Mrs. Paulier, and shall to my dying day.
And as to the way Master Clarence does
carry on sometimes, red hot irons could
not draw it from me-"
"You're q faithful creature" Miss
Fairfield said, affectionately, land we
all think the world of you. Cousin Bar
bara considers you a treasure. 1 only
wish she were as well satisfied with Mr..
Stanley"
"He's q relation of hers, isn't he ?"
asked the housekeeper, after pause, see
ing that something was expected of
her.
"Oh, yes !" was the answer of Miss
Fairfield now thoroughly under way
"He is second cousin to Barbara on her
mothers side, as am on her fathers,
and he is the millionaire of the family.
He is very eccentric, and dresses and
looks more like pauper than gentle
man. When he was here years ago, she
was tried half to death. But after all he
is good soul, though the greatest tyrant
in creation. 1t was he who bought this
place, you know. That was sixteen
years ago, when Barbara was first mar
ried ; and he wouldn't let her have it
unless she promised that it should al
ways be called Rose Hail. He named it
after his first love. They say that when
he was twenty years old he fell in love
with a cousin of his, and that he never
got over it. The poor thing died."
"Quite romantic !" remarked Mrs.
Conners, desirous to please.
Yes. There is, indeed, an element
of romance in the family" said the
ancient maiden, with look of myste-
rious consciousness. He ism It the only
one who has remained single in conse-
quence of disappointment. Well, as
1 was saying, Mr.. Stanley lives in Eng
land. His father and uncle went there
when they were young men, and enter
ed into the tea-trade, making them
selves rich beyond count. The brothers
died, and Mr.. Stanley, who was the only
one left of the two families, inherited
their property"
$50 Mrs. Stanley gave Mr.. Burkhardt
this placer" said the housekeeper.
Well-yes. That is, he just the
same as gave it to her. When Barbara
wrote him that she was going to be mar
ried, he came over. Her family were
not rich, but Mr.. Burkhardt's was. OF
course, among people of our class riches
are not considered to be of supreme i'm.
portance as they are among parUenus,
but still Barbara wished to make o good
appearance.
They lived very elegantly in town, but
there were seven girls, and it takes d
large fortune to fit out seven girls. Well
Mr.. Stanley came, and he was most gen.
erous. He gave Barbara good deal OF
money, and kept buying presents foi
her. Between you and /, though, do
not think that he took great fancy to
her. Cousin Barbara is very fine lady
but she has not winning manner
That must have been the reason why he
acted so oddly afterward. But he took
a liking to Burkhardt, and when ht
found him inclined to enter the tea
trade, made him his partner in a branch
house here. I've heard it said that ht
gave Barbara ten thousand dollars in
presents. Riding out of town one day