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

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Casper Ducey.
She was cruel, and she knew it. at
is best So" she thought; "he must know
it some time"
"And you love him, Florry ?" after
long pause.
Yes" without looking up.
6 Better-better than you could love
me?"
II think so, John"
His face was pallid, and his voice
trembled as he said, "Then Heaven
bless you, Florry, and make you happy.
1 wish you all joy and peace, now and
hereafterl'
Never till this moment had she COM
pretended the full depth of John My
ers' love.
How nobly self sacrificing he was
this man who could thus give his hearts
idol up to another because he thought
she would be happier with him.
What world of anguish those few
words cost him none could comprehend
but himself and another-Oneth that reads
all our hearts. How she pited him
as she thanked him for his kind wishes.
He toiled patiently on at the old mo-
notonous drudgery in the counting-room
striving to crush his wild, unavailing
love, to drown it among the ceaseless
cares of business.
Mrs. Digby, tired of her futile fishing
for the great CATCH" as she mentally
styled Ducey, put a fresh bait on her
hook, and cast her line for Tom Lacy;
and as the latter gentleman s heart had
long since become enslaved by her pret-
ty brown eyes, he was u comparatively
easy victim.
Then the widow exulted over little
Mabel Townley, who did not care
straw for Lacy, and was satisfied in the
proud consciousness that she had
lover at any rate.
After while, the Borovillians ar
ranged to have a grand picnic in Crimps
grove, mile out of town.
OF course all-that is, all who belong
ed to the circle-were expected to attend.
"The Quimbys, the Broadallas, the
Thomases, and Mr.. Ducey and Florry,
and Tom Lacy, besides DR.. Cranton and
his cousin, Miss Ellis, and ever so many
more are going" said the wido W, "and
we shall have such a splendid time!"
"Of course you will go, John ?" said
Florry.
" Florry l cannot"
Why ?"
Because - BECAUSE" hesitatingly,
" have business of Importance to at
tend to-"
80, but you must go John,n pursua-
sively. $ 1t will he the last picnic of
the season, and-and you know 1 am
going away soon.
Casper insists on my naming an early
day for marriage and you must go Just
this once, for my sake; and you need
recreation-you are working too hard. {"
And so he promised to drive over in
the grove about the middle of the after
noon" in time to partake of the re-
freshments and come home with the
rest," he said
Why Florry insisted on his going she
scarcely knew. Maybe she thought he
was working himself to death, for he
had been looking unusually thin of
late.
AT last the important day came, as
most days do, and an eventful day it
was to three persons at least. Just after
dinner the picnic party took up their
line of march to the grove, looking not
unlike battalion of hotel walters,
laden as they were with plates and
platters, cakes and biscuits, and all
other things that go to make up the de-
licious array that we see spread out on
picnic table to please the eye and tempt
the palate.
Florry waited long time for Mr..
Ducey. He came at last very late offer
ing no excuse for his want of punctuali-
ty, and acting, she thought very strange
ly altogether.
By-and-by John Myers came, looking
flushed, heated, but whatever was pass
! ing in his mind, he maintained an out
ward calm.
I'm so glad you've come - said
Florry. I'VE are enjoying ourselves
finely"
Just then word came that refreshments
were ready.
T" There's Nab Townley over there,
John, and she looks lonely. Go and