The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-06-17

to my life's end, the greatest blessing
with which the Almighty has endowed
me-"
Morley, you are not jesting? you
could not be so cruel ?" she said.
81 could not, my darling" he re-
piled. "I was never more serious in
my life. have wanted to tell you this,
Dora, for some time; but, somehow,you
have managed to keep me at such dis
tance, and have been so cold and strange,
that you effectually prevented my do
ing so. However, perhaps it is best as
it is. Had put my wish into execution
before, you are such proud little skep-
tic that you might have been inclined to
break off our engagement, and might
have thought my opposition to your
wish arose from scruples of honor
Now, you cannot think So"
"Oh, L have been very wicked-very,
very wicked!' exclaimed Dora, in
burst of penitent tears, through which
little of the Miss Lynton of old was
beginning to peep. 1t was difficult to
forget at once the teaching of years, that
had served to impress on her mind the
two facts that the least confession of
fault was certain to ensure forgiveness,
and was just little bit of condescen-
sion on her own part, which Morley
noticed.
j." Besides,'' he continued with
smile, "you are making yourself miser-
able without any just cause for so doing.
Does it not seem strange to you that
Mrs. East has lived with you all these
years, only to tell it at the lasty 1 am
inclined to think the story is without
foundation"
But she wouldn't dare to tell such
deliberate falsehood," said Dora "she
seems to feel sure that she is dying"
81 do not accuse her of trying to de-
ceive you,' said Morley; " "she may
have been delirious."
Ct do not think so,'' said Dora but
at the same time her belief in the story
she had heard from Mrs. East began to
waver. 1t is so pleasant to be argued
into doubling when we wish to doubt;
and, so after very short time, Dora
dried her tears and in spite of all the he
roic resolutions she had made, that after
telling Morley she would at least avoid
him till the truth was discovered, she
listened, with heightened color and
beating heart, to his tale of love, the
evening breeze meanwhile playing a
soft obligato accompaniment among the
the leaves of the old elm trees and
ever after, through all the years to come,
she felt that in some way the sound of
the rustling branches would have
| pleasant music in her ears.
Thus Dora promised to be Morley Os-
borne's wife, and so happy was she in
the present, that as they walked home
in the cleaning, it seemed as though
she had been suddenly expelled from
fairyland when Morley asked for more
particulars of her interview with Mrs.
East, which she gave him as briefly as
possible.
"And what do you intend to do ?" he
asked, when her recital came to an
end.
"Ask papa if it is true,'' said Dora,
decidedly.
81 do not think that is exactly the
best course" said Morley, after mo-
ment's thought. d" For myself, don't
believe the story; and, supposing it to
be false, your father would be reason
ably angry at so unjust suspicion
You know 1 have little right now, my
darling, to give an opinion. / think it
will be best to wait until we see these pa
pers-if, indeed, their existence be not
myth-and then we shall know how to
act"
You are the best judge, Morley"
said Dora.
s. I hope you think so, love-" was the
laughing rejoinder. But what did
you mean, Dora, just now by saying
you have been very wicked? Does your
conscience accuse you of any misdeeds
OR was that only a pretty little figure
of speech ~
No, indeed; don't think me very
inconsistent, Morley" she replied. 81
have fancied lately that you did love
me; but everything went on so smooth
ly, and it SO different from all had
read, that wondered if we knew what
we were about, or whether it was only
because we were so much together, and
had grown used to each other, that we