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

laughing and tears. No wonder that
have liked you so well from the first"
| She paused, not knowing how to express
her gratitude, and an embarrassed silence
ensued.
John suddenly took her in his arms
and pressed a kiss upon her golden
hair.
know ought not to, Maud, but 1
can bear this suspense no longer. AS
poor, lonely boy, L have loved you for
years; as man, L love you ten thou
sand times better tonight. o Maud,
Maud tell me you have not been flirt-
ing with me all these days Tell me
that may love you, and that you care
q little for me''
She lifted her head at his passionate
entreaty, but her long lashes hid the
eyes she did not dare to raise to his
Her heart beat fast and she could not tell
him the truth. She could not bear to
see those grave, honest eyes she loved
turn from her with scorn. She clench-
ed her hands spasmodically, and John
began to take courage from her silence.
Perhaps | have taken an unwar-
rantable liberty If have displeased,
beg for forgiveness. can bear any
thing but suspense, darling. Let me
look in your eyes and read the truth
there"
She lifted those eyes, swimming in
tears, to his. Then in O hesitating,
trembling voice, whose every utterance
seemed to choke her:
You have mistaken my manner, Mr..
Fielding. 1 am engaged to Verne Ian
dersdale, and can be nothing to you in
the future. Let me go.''
Her voice ended in sob, but she need
not have added the last words. He made
no effort to hold her, but almost pushed
her from him, and dropped his arms to
his side.
You have acted falsehood, Maud
Pelham Your woman's heart filled
with woman's tender pity, must have
told you ere this that my very life and
soul were yours. Well, let it go. You
are no better and no worse than the rest
of your sex. 1 cherished dream that
one true girl could be found in your ar
tificial high society, but 1 have awak-
ened. Go, boast of your Irritation, and
when you recount your conqests add
John Fielding's name to your list of
victims if you like.
Maud heard him through with dumb
agony. She stood with bowed head, and
did not try to arrest his scorn, but his
words stung her.
o John, John take back your cruel
words, or you will kill me -
She clung to his arms, and the hard
lines about his mouth softened little.
Her bowed head and trembling voice be-
trayed her love, and a supreme pity for
her weakness filled his heart. This girl
was his by the divine right of love. She
had allowed the brother who had scorned
and triumphed over him all these years
to triumph over him now, and rob him
of the one woman he could ever love?
There was terrible struggle as Maud,
forgetful of her promise, clupg to him.
Then honor triumphed, and with bitter
selfrenunciation he bent and loosened
her clasp from his arm.
81 forgive you, Maud, and take back
my hasty words. They were spoken
in anger. Farewell, and God bless you.
We may meet again, but only as stran-
gers"
They had neared the hotel now. He
bent, pressed one last kiss upon her
brow, and Maud was left alone.
"Who is that fine-looking cadet ?"
inquired Mrs. Landersdale of a soldier
Unlocking old gentleman bending over
her chair. John Fielding had entered
the parlor, and stood for moment
near the doorway.
There had never dawned upon Mrs.
Landersdale suspicion of the truth and
her companions answer was as much
of shock to her as the explosion of a
shell could have been.
g His name is John Fielding, madam.
He is fine fellow from New York City
and your State has reason to be proud of
her cadet. am glad to see that in our
republic brains are being sent to West
Point, and that even money cannot al
ways buy commission here"
Mrs. Landersdale face became fairly
livid.
What John Fielding Is 1t possi-
hle And NV Mand has haan hvinv