The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-01-28

WIN huOlDer look, bne plhceu IL De-
tween the pages Of the book, and hasten
ed down.
There were merry dolngs at Barby
Holt that night. Squire Martin Barby,
Of grandfather Barby, as the young
people, children of his many sons and
daughters, always called the old gentle
man, and Lady Ursula, his highbred,
genial dame, always gathered o large
circle around them at Christmas.
And where could you spend jolller
Christmas than at the Manor 2-and
who could make such mince pies and
turkey stufIiing as grandmother's old
housekeeper at Barby
The dancing was at Its height; the
holly and Ivy qulvered on the panels,
and the oak floor was becoming more
and more slippery when unannounced
and With powdering of snow on his
cloak, tall figure rushed among the
dancers, seized the Squire's hand and
wrung 1t violently, fell on Dame Ursu-
las neck and gave her hearty kiss be-
fore any one had time to think what the
disturbance could be about.
But the Squire's eyes were keen, and
after the first moment he returned the
grasp with o hearty "God bless you,
my boy, welcome home !" and "wel-
come to Barby, grandson - said the
kindly voice of Dame Ursula, albeit
some tears of joy shone in her soft
eyes.
"Cousin Jack Cousin Jack ~ came
from twenty mouths, and the favorite
grandson thew aside his cloak, and
flung away his hat, to shake hands
with all the aunts and uncles, and
many of the guests who remembered
him.
And one of these guests, seated under
the holly decorations of great oak
panel, leant her white, terror stricken
face against the wood work, and pressed
the slender gloved hand against heart
beating strangely fast
What can it mean ?'' she thought.
"Why am / so struck at the appearance
of an utter stranger ?"
And yet it was not a stranger. The
face of the favored grandson was the
one whose image lay between the leaves
of the book upstairs. All, Maggie, IL is
dangerous to have dealings with astro-
logers. Here was the girl, who had
answered mysterious advertisement
for mere fun's sake, astonished and ter
rified beyond measure at what seemed
the sudden realization of the astrologer's
mute prophecy.
"What is the name of that young
lady standing near the fire place and
talking to my grandmother 2" he ask ed
as soon as he got a chance.
"That's Miss Barton ~
"Jack worked his way dexterously
round the room, and by the time he
was within ear shot of the young lady
there was cry to put out the light for
snap-dragons; and while they went out
with Whit, a sharp spring placed him
at her side.
"Miss Barton Maggie-how do you
do p"
There was little glow of the fire, just
enough for him to see the shiver his
words caused. She raised her dark eyes
with shade of displeasure overcoming
her fear; but of course he could not see
that, and he continued to murmur un-
ineligible nothings till, in common
politeness, she was bound to murmur
unintelligible nothings back again.
A few more sentences, and then, while
the rest were pressing round the bu IN.
ing dish, Jack made bold stroke.
"Do you know you owe me kiss,
Miss Barton?"
This in allusion to some old wager Of
their youth.
The experience of the last few hours
had already reduced her to q state of
mute resignation. Nothing he could
say would astonish her now, so to this
remarkable question she ehly answered
"Do II"
DO ycu?" why yes, Maggie. Don't
you remember Jack Carleton Y''
4" Are-yohs-Jack Carleton ?" came
from lips that were returning to their
natural color.
-" "Tcs, indeed ~ he replied. "Am L
50 much altered p"-Perfect astonish-
't1ent and silence. "And you owe me
a kiss" Jack continued: "you remem-
ber that, don't you, Maggie :" I'm going
to have 1t now"