The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-07-30

theless true that she had been very
much pleased with the newcomers ap-
pearance, and found herself uncon-
sciously comparing the two faces - that
of Willis always losing by the compari-
sion.
Everything was in readiness when the
little company met at the cars. Two
strong men carried an immense basket
well packed between them. Each party
had at least lunch-baske filled. All
were merry, gay, and laughing as they
took their seats, conscious that no mar
plot was in their midst.
The ground arrived at, there was
plenty to do. Some busted themselves
in bringing water and wood, for they
were to have genuine tea-maklng;
others took out the viands and placed
them in order; Others still strayed
nearer the edge of the beautiful lake.
Florence was engaged at the SPRING
She had nearly filled her pitcher, when
a musical voice said:
Let me assist you"
She looked up almost trembling to see
two dark blue eyes smiling in her face
Strange how that glance shook her equa-
nimity. She, who was generally so fear
less and frolicksome, was dumb now
She merely thanked him, and he, lifting
the pitcher, walked slowly by her side.
81 have heard much of your Ameri-
can woods,' he said, but L never
thought to find anything half so beauti-
full as these painted leaves. How gorge
GUS they are-like the bright birds of
tropical climate, only nesting by hun
dreds upon boughs and branches
Your forests, then, do not exhibit
these changes ?"
" No; our climate is too damp. And
even the sunshine here affects me differ
emily. 1t is neither lurid, burning, like
that of Southern cline, nor pale and
sickly like England's. 1t is SO clear,
golden, and exhilarating. You ought to
have great poets here. You have = /
was reading last night = Whittier and
Longfellow. What justice they do the
beautiful works of nature. The rivers
leap and the forests sing through their
verses"
" I am glad you like them,'' said Flor
ence, with animation.
"Oh, 1 see much to admire here" and
he glanced again in her face, his eyes
lingering there for moment. "Look
they find it difficult to make the fire
burn. must help them"
Saying this, he hurried toward the lit
tie group,almost blinded with the smoke
and scattering the wood, built up pyr-
amid with skillful fingers, placed few
Goals on the top, set them in blaze, and
presto! there was fire that shot up a
flame of clear amber against the brown
trunk of the sturdy oak near
"That was skillfully DONE" said the
rector. "Neither burnt nor blackened
fingers" urr
&C 1 have been in the woods before, y he
said, cheerily, but from that moment a
sadness came over his face which did
not leave it quickly. He drew quietly
apart from the rest, and one good at the
study of the human face might have
seen in his sad, weary, almost hopeless
detection that the gayety surrounding
them might not dispel.
1t was a happy time, nevertheless. -
There was the snowy cloth set with
tempting delicacies; beyond the bright
green of the sward, clumps here and
there of young trees, mighty growth of
oak and maple, and still beyond, in the
softness of the shining distance, the deep
bright blue of the small lake, sparkling,
swapping its wet fingers in the vivid
sunshine.
The girls were all anxious to know
the newcomer, but though he was very
social, dealing his smiles with unstudied
partiality, at times it was easy to see
towards whose good graces he inclined
the most. Sweet Florence, with that
nameless charm in lips and eyes patient,
mirthful, or quietly serious, attracted him
irresistibly, and more than one pair of
knowing CRIBS sparkled over the discov-
cry. A row on the lake, circle under
the protecting shadow of some pleasant
trees, frightened by story and song, and
the days toll and pleasure were over
1t was quite unaccountable how in all
the confusion that ensued, it being near
ly dark, the young stranger should find
himself by the side of Florence May
nard Yet it was, as she knew, when