The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-10-01


The hustle of the harvest-time had
been got over, and Miss Elhot had gone
to pass some days at her fatber's house,
Mr.. King being there Also. 1t was q
dark, murky Sunday night; John and
Nelly had returned from church, and
Hebe had taken the dinner-tea which
was the Sunday fare into the parlor,
and had sat down at the kitchen fire
with her feet on the fender and her
thoughts on Jock. She had not seen
him for a fortnight, and she was sad
she was thinking il 1t were for his good
to marry her. Would she be drag on
him and in time wouldihe tire of her
and despise her for her low origin and
want of education, as his. uncle had told
her? Her eyes filled with tears, and she
took the cat upon her lapand stroked it,
if so she might find comfort and pussy
had very soothing effect on her and
she on pussy it climbed up and rubbed
its fur on her face and purred as much
as to say:
"You and me against the world,
Hebe ~ then in loving trust it curled
itself up on her knee and composed itself
to sleep. She drew Jocks last letter
from her pocket and read it over the
cats head it was written, or rather half
printed, in big round text, for the writer
knew if he wrote in his usual way Hebe
would not be able to. Yead it I; and what
will man not do who is infatuated and
shuts his eyes to causes and conse--
quences 1t waSsbOrt, for when let
ter is half printed in big, distinct type it,
checks the indulgence of imaginative
flights or poetical quotations, and even
assurances of undying affection, were
the writer ever so inclined to these
Jocks letter was short, but it appeared
satisfactory to the person to whom it
was written, for her face cleared and
she kissed the paper on which it, was
written; which must be a genuinely
natural thing to do, for Hebe had never
read novel in her life, nor ever had an
opportunity of seeing similar action
performed,
She was still meditating on its con-
tents when the back door opened with
out causing her to look up, as the man
who attended to the horses came every
night for the key of the granary, and
she did not doubt that it was. he as usu-
al but she started up and pussy fell
from her hap in hurry when heavy
hand grasped her arm and two men
with Grape over their faces stood beside
her.
What do you want 2" she asked, for
SO ignorant was she of the usages of
housebreakers that the Grape on their
faces had no meaning for her.
&C. If you are quiet and say nothing
We'll not hurt you," said one of the.
men, q" but speak word and I'll blow
your brains out" and he showed re-
volver.
+" Bring her with you, Jim," the other
naan said, striding out of the kitchen
into the front lobby; and Hebe found
herself hurried into the dining
where Mr.. and Mrs. Elliot were still sit
ting at the table. They both rose in
alarm.
Has anything happened ?'' Mrs. Ell.
liot asked.
"Not yet" said.One of the men. "Now,
old gentleman, tell me where your
money is or I'n shoot you where you
stand," and he-held his pistol near Mrs.
Elliot's head.
"Very well, shoot" said John quiz
etly.
Oh, good, men," cried Mrs. Elliot,
taking out her purse, "what will you
take to go away ? I'll give you" The
man snatohed the purse from, her hand,
while his mate secured her husbands
watch.
"Tie him in his chair, Jim," the
leader said, "and I'll hold the two
women.n
The man produced strong cord and
no resistance.
"Tie the old lady, Jim," said the
man, keeping hold of Hebe.
Nelly was powerless with terror by
this time.
you'll pay for this nights work yet,
you villains !" said John when he saw
his wife secured with cords, and writhed
at his own helplessness.
Keep civil tongue in your head, !"
said the ruffian. Now" he said to
Hebe, lead on to the old gentleman's s
rooms. We'll break open the desk If