The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-08-26

at present am at your mercy: you
are doubtful, hesltating, but the scales
weigh a little in my favor, do they
not ?"
"Oh, no. Indeed, 1 have never
thought seriously Of marrying you; /
only dislike to refuse YOU"
" That last is an admirable frame of
mind; preserve 1t !" and, as they had
left the beach and were within hearing
and observations, the conversation
ceased.
Archie and Jack appeared the next
day, summoned by an imperative tele-
gram from Mrs Grant.
Now, boys, you must exert your
selves; I've done all can," said their
sister. :" She is obstinate and odious =
would not tell me anything"
Perhaps it is all a scare" exclaimed
Archie.
You are very much mistaken. Papa
Is devoted to her and icy to me- There's
no time to lose. We are so intimate
with the Montgomery's, you can be con-
stantly at the cottage, and chance will
throw opportunities in your way"
"Whose turn will it be to speak
first ?" cried Archie "I'll throw up "a
penny; heads win, tails lose.-It's
mine!" with a glance of despair.
Archie clung pertinaciously to Mrs.
Pages side on the piazza, sat next her
in the omnibus which took them to the
bathing beach, walked home with her
through the shady lane after the bath
ing.
She was delighted with the gay young
fellow. AT length he showed little
claw Mrs. Page, we are all very much
afraid you are going to marry papa
Would you not like me for a step
mother?" and she smiled deliciously at
him.
His tender heart melted: Like you
who could help liking you? Butt
and he hesitated-" we don't want q
step-mother step-mothers are deucedly
in the way"
An involuntary smile appeared on
Mrs Pages face then she sighed.
The good-hearted fellow felt compunc-
ton as he heard the sigh.
Hang it!'' he burst forth, "Gerty
set me at you. She expects me to be
disagreeable, but who could fight dove?
1t will be dangerous to marry papa !; we
shall be in love with our step-mother."
"Jack,'' he cried to his brother a few
moments after, CT made perfect mess
of it-began to flatter and all that. She's
an angel -
"She is destablel'' returned Jack
" L hate your purring, coaxing women.
She shall have piece of my mind,
can tell YOU"
Mrs. Page appeared to have a COM
prehension of danger, for she avoided
Jack Lee skilfully for two entire days.
He shot fierce glances toward her at
the table, glared at her from un-
der his bushy eyebrows in the ballroom,
and when she came up dripping from
her bath she could scarcely stagger past
him, his sarcastic eyes were so over
powering.
She avoided the piazza, and on the
third day had hidden herself with a
book behind rock, when, bristling and
pugnacious, he appeared;
Pardon my intrusion, but am ex-
ceedingly desirious of seeing you, and
alone.n
She bowed stifily.
" Mrs. Page, we have been told of my
fathers proposal, and that you think of
accepting him. The idea is very dis
agreeable to all of us-to all of u.s." he
repeated firmly; in fact, we can
scarcely think well of you. 1t puts you
in a most suspicious, really odious,
light
Mrs. Page did not look dovelike at this
moment; her light brown eyes flashed
Indignantly at him.
'There is but one object in marrying
my father" he resumed after mo-
ment's pause; it is transaction COM
mon enough in Mohammedan countries.
You are purchased with million of
dollars; think that was the sum men,
toned ?"
Her lip quivered like child's, indig-
nation and tears strove for the mastery,
but cry she would not he never should
have that satisfaction.
6 Mr.. Lee" she exclaimed, 81 don't
know what you think of your conduct !:
/ think IL is nnNua ardlu " dastar rdlu Xnn