The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-04-16


ped, trapped. His wings are clipped and
he lays at my feet. / didn't miss one
single play L moved up my men most
properly, and he has surrendered.
" Not proposed ?"
go, no; wouldn't have had him
done that tonight. But he's good for it.
1 shall let him propose the next time
he comes"
" Be careful, Lovina. Don't let him
run too long, for you know there may
be other influences brought to bear upon
him. 1t is policy to secure him as soon
as possible"
The daughter agreed with her mother
on this subject, and then they separated
for the night.
CHAPTER ii.
At short distance from the great
city, in quiet, lovely spot, there stood
a neat, white cottage. 1t was the home
of Widow Atkins. Her husband had
been a sea captain, and, on his death, he
had left property enough to support his
wife and only child comfortably, though
they were forced to be economical and
they labored some to gain the means of
procuring few of those enjoyments
that come not under the head of bare
sustenance. Caroline Atkins had seen
her twenty-first year, and she was one
of those kind, good beings whom every
body of moral worth and discernment
loves. 1t was on the same evening that
Captain Lincoln was at the dwelling of
Mrs. Gilbert, that Mrs. Atkins and her
daughter sat in their comfortable sitting
room-the former engaged in sewing,
while the latter had just laid aside her
work. They had been consulting about
Capt. Oliver Lincoln, and Kate's hands
trembled so that she could not well ply
her fine needle.
C really hope he will come and see
us, just for old acquaintance sake, if
nothing more,' said Mrs. Atkins
Your father was the first man with
whom he sailed"
Perhaps Oliver does not know where
we live ?" suggested Caroline.
every likely; but then he might in
quire."
" And then he is rich now" continued
the fair girl, as her eyes were bent to the
floor. Perhaps he would not wish to
renew an acquaintance with those as
poor as we are"
81 do not believe that riches could
change Oliver Lincoln into such man
as that. If they do, then I will never
trust in character again. No, no, Caro-
line, believe he will come and see us
yet"
Z" 1 hope he will"
"And l know he will.'
" Mother" said the daughter, after a
moments hesitation, and while her
voice trembled, "I heard that he was
quite familiar at Mrs. Gilbert's, and one
of the girls who used to work there told
me this afternoon that Lovina was
going to be his WIFE"
' Mercy sake alive" calculated Mrs.
Atkins, raising her eyebrows in utter
astonishment. Don't think for mo-
ment that Oliver would be such fool.
What marry that thing of paint and
nonsense. Heaven help him if he falls
into her trap. But really, my child"
added the woman, with smile, 1--WE
| have no occasion for trouble on his ac-
count, only it would be a shame to see
him thus throw all his happiness
away"
"Caroline said no more, but she took
up paper and tried to read. Mrs. At
kins watched her moment, and then
flash of the truth, for the first time, came
to her mind. A question trembled upon
her lips, but when she saw how much
her daughter was already moved she re-
Trained from asking it. She had not
dreamed that Caroline felt any other at
tachment for the young man than the
mere friendship that might linger with
the memory of playmates but now she
saw that there might be deeper, firmer
attachment. She spoke not of it, how
ever, then but pang shot through her
heart as she thought that her noble child
might suffer from bitter disappoint-
ment.
Watson" said Mrs. Gilbert to her
son, one morning, just as the latter was
going out to his business, "where were
you last night, while Lovlna and myself
were at the opera 2"
| "At home, mother mine"