The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-07-29
AUNT CORNELIA'S PLAN.


been hard to find, If one had travelled
from Lands End to Joan O'Groat's
and this eventful evening, when the
destinies of two worthy people were
about taking definite form-two people
who had never seen each other, and
who had heard of each other so often
that each were curously eager to meet
--on this important evening the sitting
room at Hill-crest had never looked
pleasanter or cosler.
A huge pile of logs glowed like mol
ten carbuncles In the open fireplace;
on the table in the centre of the floor,
whose color matched the glowing Grim
son of the carpet, was silver stand that
held dozen snowy wax tapers, whose
beaming light contrasted exqulsitely
with the ruddy glow of the fire.
Beside the table, in big cushioned
chair, with his feet thrust towards the
genial warmth on the hearth, his gray
dressing-gown sitting comfortably on
his portly form, his gold trimmed glasses
on his nose, sat the owner and master
of Hillcrest, Mr.. Abiah Cressington,
rich, good natured, and fond of his own
way. Opposite him was the mistress of
the little place-llttle, shrewd faced,
sharp nosed, merry Aunt Cornelia, his
sister, who, since her widowhoo had
come to Hillcrest to make her bachelor
brothers. home as pleasant as she could.
That she had succeeded was very evil
dent by the way now in which he look
ed up from letter he had been reading
the confidential, kindly way in which
he did it,
Walter writes curious letter in re-
sponse to my invitation to come and
spend few weeks at Hillcrest as soon
as he gets over his fatigue from his
ocean voyage home, after his five years
aboard. I'll read it to you"
He leaned near the softly glowing
lights, and began the short, concise re-
ply that Walter Austin had written
from his chamber in the Temple;
C You are very kind indeed, Uncle
Abiah, to ask me down to Hillcrest for
as long as l wish to stay, and l can as
sure you that have been so long q wan
derer that the idea of home is very
pleasant to me. But when take into
consideration the peculiar Importance
you propose attaching to my visit, 1 am
unwilling to accept the invitation. To
me, the idea of having my fancies and
inclinations put into harness, and to feel
that am on continual duty to win my
way into the good graces of my second
cousin, Mabel, whom you are good
enough to wish me to marry"
Mrs. Cornelia interrupted sharply:
"Abiah, you never surely went and
told our grandnephew that you had in
view his marriage with Mabel ?"
Her tone was energetic, almost repre-
hensive.
"Why not ? certainly did. 1 told
him in my letter that it was a chance
for him he'd never get again, and that
he needn't feel under such terrible obli-
cations to take fancy to Phil's little
Mabel, but to come down and be cousin
ly, and if anything should happen, it'd
be right all round"
Mrs. Cornelia knitted vigorously, her
lavender cap-ribbons quivering in the
mellow taper glow.
"All / have to say is, you're : fool,
Abiah ! Walter is right. A young man
doesn't like to have his fancies under
rein and whip and the very fact that we
want him to marry will make him in
disposed to do it. You've made avery
great mistake in the beginning
Mr.. Cressington looked aghast at his
sisters determined face.
"Why, really didn't suppose"
"Of course you didn't. It's only
your natural stupidity, you dear old fell
low! Men are all alike. Don't 1 know
them like book And you've ruined
your hopes for Mabel and Walter at the
very outset"
Mr.. Cressington stared discomfitedly.
II am sure / meant it all right
enough Cornelia. certainly wanted
Walter TO know what little darling
our Mabel is, and what nice little wife
she would make for any man."
Very commendable, indeed; only, if
you had consulted me upon the letter
you sent, should have advised you to
say nothing about Mabel or her charms,
or her expectations. 1 should have sim
ply asked him to come and see us, and
have left the rest to Mabel's blue eyes.
You see, Abiah 20
His lips compressed slowly.
think see and my hopes in that