The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-05-20


friends hastened to Verne's side.
Verne raised his pale face and tried to
appear natural, but the effort was too
great. He made some laughing reply
to young lady's sally, then the forced
smile left his face, and he sank insensi-
bic into his adopted mothers arms.
n 4
Five years later the same moon shone
down upon "Flirtation Walk, /" but only
solitary man wended his lonely way
along the path. Where was the woman
he had loved so dearly and who had
walked the familiar way with him
so many times with her small hand
upon his arm and her perfumed hair
brushing his shoulders.
John Fielding asked himself the ques-
ton with wild yeafning for her pres
ence that night. He had come back to
these familiar scenes for the first time
since those old times of long ago, and
Maud's voice seemed to be signing in
the breeze and Maud IS presence pervaded
the air.
"One would think the place were
haunted, " he muttered with clenched
teeth. But it is with memories sweet
as they are bitter. Then it was summer.
The leaves have come and gone five
times since, and are falling and dying
now with the dying year. o Maud,
Maud -
Z" Mr.. FieldingY"
1t came in a sweet, tender voice, and a
woman's tread among the red maple
leaves broke the silence
He looked up, and met the gaze of her
Of whom he had been dreaming. Maud
stood before him, with tears in her eyes
and subdued, womanly joy in her
manner,
6 Maud, have you come back to mock
a miserable man ?"
g Mr.. Fielding, am woman now.
govern my own actions, and do not al
low others to rule my destiny as 1 did
when girl. Five years have taught me
self-reliance.
They should have taught me to can
quer hopeless love, but they have not.
| was dreaming of you just now"
Then in changed voice:
"Are your relatives with you ?"
IF you mean Mrs. Landersdale and
Fred, / have not seen them since that
happy, miserable summer we spent to-
gether here so many years ago. They
are still in Europe, L believe; but Maud
Pelham, spinster, has been alone all
these five years"
She didn't mean there should be, but
there was a.melancholy cadence in the
tones of her voice.
John 8 face had grown radiant, and he
began to comprehend slowly the blessed
truth.
"But have always pictured you as
married and happy. You have been
waiting for me all these years ?"
"Yes.''
C Maud my dearest my wifel"
He had her in his arms now; and
those few happy moments more than re-
paid them for their weary years of wait
ing.
Verne Landersdale returned from
Europe, and stood in one of our Boston
halls with the supercilious, condescend-
ing air that is sometimes affected by
young gentlemen lately arrived from
abroad He had cultivated set of
English side-whiskers, and stared about
him through a pair of eyeglasses.
AS two ladies, accompanied by gen.
tleman, walked up the aisle, and seated
themselves directly in front of him, he
started with pleasant surprise, bent
forward, and touched the gentleman's g
arm. He still loved Maud Pelham, and
hoped for her forgiveness now that he
had returned from abroad.
Mr.. Van Ruyter,I believe ?" he said
eagerly. Have you forgotten the wan
derer ?''
"Why, Landersdale, how are you p
Welcome home. l suppose you still re-
member my sister, Mrs. Ford; and of
course Maud and you have not forgot
ten old times"
He shook hands with Flo, then turned
to Maud with deprecating, and embar-
rassed greeting. She met his mute ap-
peal for forgiveness with frank, friend
~ smile.
"Truly happy to welcome you home,
Verne. Have your wanderings been
pleasantY and how is Aunt Landers.
dale 2 should have been notified OF
your arrival, 1 think"