The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-07-15

no grace except that which love gave
him, and lifted her hand to his lips. He
seemed no more astonished at her reply
than he had been at the spiritual visl-
tation of the night before.
When the boys came home that night
they found the professor radiant, Mr..
and Mrs. Kingsley beaming approval
upon their daughter, and May herself
submitting to 1t all with the most curl
Gus expression ever seen upon any
dimpled face-a compound of laughter
and doubt, of fun and fear.
Whether she was pricked by her con-
science, or only frightened by the bold
ness of the game she was carrying on,
they could not tell. AS soon as was
possible they got her alone by herself,
and fell upon her, metaphorlcally speak
ing, with an avalanche of questions.
MAY, did he really ask you to marry
him. 2"
" Yes"
"But he acts as if you had said
yes"
"Well, so L did,
"By Jove," calculated Tom, perfectly
astounded.
" You know / told you, boys, that if
1 helped you in your fun, you must let
me have mine"
" But, May, May, do you know he
has already asked fathers consentY-
What storm there will be!
6 She MEANS" interrupted Jem, who
had been studying her face attentively,
to let it go until it comes to the finale,
and then say no instead of yes when
the minister puts the question:
Toms face was picture of mingled
CONSERVATION and admiration. He had
held very low opinion of the courage
of the girls up to this point, but here
was one who was willing to go beyond
him.
"Did you think of this last night
when you wouldn't tell us what you
were going to do p" he asked, humbly.
OF course L did,"
"Only think, Tom, he believed every
word of it after all !" put in Jem.
They congratulated themselves upon
having perpetrated successful joke;
but still their countenances wore very
uneasy expression.
"After all, May, it's little too bad,"
said Tom, hesitatingly; " the professor
is good sort of man though he is such
muff. We won't spoil your fun, of
course, but just look at it before you go
ahead. Have you thought what an aw-
full row there'll be when it comes out ?"
ITS too late to stop now," said his
sister family, as she was little alarmed
herself at the prospect.
"Well, anyway, May, you can marry
me, and get out of the scrape," said
Jem, taking her hand, consolingly.
"She'd better marry you right after
the other ceremony then," answered
Tom omniously. You had better take
her out of fathers reach as soon as pos
sible. He thinks everything of the old
professor"
"Well, why shouldn't wep" asked
Jem, with confidence.
'' It's just as well now as any time
May won't mind"
And, indeed, May did look SO relieved
at this proposal, after the fashion of a
child who has unexpectedly grasped a
torpedo, that Tom began to think it
would be the best way out of the scrape,
after all.
To be sure, the pair would have moth
ing to live on after they were married,
except his sisters little legacy, which
would not go far, and besides, which
could not be claimed for year, till the
young lady was of age. But Tom had
cheerful confidence in Jem's abilities,
and as great confidence in his sis
ter.
They finally settled it among them
selves that this was to be the plan, and
afterward tried to look as if everything
was all right.
One of them at least failed ignomini-
ously. Tom was attacked with fits OF
self-reproach every time he chanced to
meet the professors eye, and whenever
the unconscious man showed him any
trifling kindness, would rush out of the
house as If he were a convicted crimi.
nal. This went on for few MONTHS
Tom growing more and more conscience
stricken. May more and more silent
and timid, till at last the powers that be
were moved to set the wedding day.
They all felt kind of relief at this
sor- Al. 4.