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

let me say no, and like me always in
spite of it.''
~ can't consent to anything of the
kind. My money an objection Why,
the money is good it bridges over the
chasm between-eighteen, is it?-and
fifty. The million 1 propose to settle
on you"
Very well,' she interrupted, elf
you propose to buy me, there's an end
to our-negotiation.
"On the other hand l am perfectly
willing that my siXty-five years-I am
really seventy-should offset with mon
ey your"
Thirty" she replied.
There was brief silence. Mr.. Lee
was evidently taking counsel with him
self. Mrs. Page, am going to confide
in you. am not sure that it is quite
right or kind in me to say this; but
have had very unhappy life, although
the world considers me fortunate man.
My wife was great invalid. INDUCED
her in every possible way; her least
whims were respected; but all that
made existence worth having was sac
rificed in the effort. Our beautiful home
was scene of darkness and gloom noise
maddened her, all guests and gayety
were excluded. The natural affection
which one would have supposed she
| would have had for her children SEEM
ed extinguished by her maladies, and
they and 1 were really victims. have
known of cheerful, angelic invalids, but
my poor Eleanor certainly made us all
suffer with her. / managed, in some
degree, to spare my children; my sons
went abroad; my daughter, with cha
peron, entertained at our country-house
while we were in town as for myself,
she wanted me always with her.
After her death, our physician, who
was an old friend, acknowledged that
perhaps it would have been better for
her health of body and mind if she had
been forced to regard us more and her
self less. This was great blow, for 1
am inclined to believe the assertion true.
However, the result has been that 1 have
now an intention to enjoy the brief re-
mainder of life that is left me. have
an unnatural longing for gayety, happi-
ness, society. 1 have had no life for for
ty years, either literary, social or relig-
ious. She positively did not like me to
go to church am shocked myself at
making these revelations, but you are
the only living being who has a suspi-
cion as TO my feelings L never, to my
children or brothers, suggested these
ideas. How could / enrich and adorn
my life more effectively than my beg
ging you to share it with me?" and he
put forth a manly, sunburnt hand to
seize her little white palm, when there
was scrambling of ponies around the
house, clatter of many feet on the
piazza, and shrieks of " Cousin Alice !
where are your Oh, Mr.. Lee is that
you ?n cried Peggy, the head romp.-
"How glad L am! Now we can have
our champion game of tenpins you
promised us the other day. Come,
Alice"
And Mrs. Page, with great relief, fol-
lowed her discomfited admirer to the
bowling-alley.
n
The scene changes to Mr.. Lees coun.
try-house. Mrs. Grant, his daughter, a
pretty blonde with a fastidious, disdain.
full air, enters the breakfast-room attired
in an exquisite white morning dress
and enveloped in heecy shawl.
There is lovely picture through the
open windows of a smooth lawn skirted
by magnificent old trees. Delicious
odors greet her from the flowers on the
breakfast
She seats herself, fills the daintiest o.
china cups with tea, takes piece OF
toast and opens her letters.
6 Have the gentleman all breakfast
ed James Shut the door; there is 8
draught."
Her languid affectations leave her, al
angry flush rises on her cheeks, her eyes
dilate, and, evidently too discomposed t,
continue her slight repast, she exclaim
impatiently:
"Where are Mr.. Archie and all o
, themY Say that want to see then
immediately-something of great i'm
portance = in the library. Now, James
-he was an old servant" make then
all come"
Mrs. Grant sank into an armchair ii