The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-05-18
Deacon Sharpes Wifs's Niece.
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this way. That air, made up of rebellion
and obstinacy, Is very becoming,
admit, but 1t won't be of the least use In
the world. So just keep quiet now, and
attend to your canaries."
"Now, Miranda, isn't he provoking !?
don't believe his salary Is half large
enough to support all these extrava-
gances in which he indulges us, and
would not have incurred such heavy
debt for music lessons if had not ex-
pected TO defray it."
II think, said the soft grave voice Of
cousin Miranda Carter, as her gentle
face looked up from her sewing, that
Lettie is in the right. You know, my
dear boy, that wanted to organize a
little school when we came here, and
you interdicted it. Our expenses are
increasing every year, and 1 know the
burden must rest heavy on you"
Well, I've strong shoulders to bear
it, and I'm twenty-four now," said the
young man, rising, and walking across
the room, while very loving eyes watch
ed the proud, handsome figure, whose
bearing was so full of strength and man
4ness.
Beside this, you bother me, girls, by
continually harping on this subject L
don't want Lettie to teach, and have
people that aren't half as good and
smart as she is, turning up their noses
at her. l want to see her happy, and
free from care in the bloom and glad
ness of her youth"
"Do you think, Gorham, that I'm so
+ craven as to care for the miserable,
heartless, soulless people that would
despse me because was music teach
.er?n
No, Miss Independence, / don't
think you are. But that's no sign l
want them sighting you. Now, don't,
cousin Miranda, read me lecture on
'lnSrSi courage. know you're all right,
sAnd I'm all wrong, beside being great
scamp into the bargain. But Lettie's
not going to teach, so the matters set
tied. BY the by, Mrs. Conrad came
into the store yesterday afternoon
'Did she? Oh tell me about her."
ia my eagerness spilling half my cana
ry seed on the floor Mrs. Conrad was
the bride of the senior partner of the
firm in which Gorham was engaged
The gentleman was millionaire, and
the lady young, brilliant, fascinating,
and had created great sensation in
the high social circles in which they
moved
8 Well, she is not strictly symmetric-
ally beautiful but she is very interesting,
and her face is one you would turn and
look at twice in crowd. 1t is full of
character and vitality, and though it
may melt with tenderness, you feel too
1t might flash into earnestness, perhaps
anger The eyes, hair, and mouth, are
perhaps the most attractive features.
The first is rich, the second glorious, the
last beautiful They say she is very
good hearted, very kind to the poor"
"Gorham Lawtonl what an artist
was spoiled when fate made you book
keeper!"
II know it, little girl; but it's grow
ing late," looking at his watch. Kiss
me; goodbye, girls" and he was gone.
Two months had elapsed. 1t was a
wild, warning, November day; and it
was drawing toward its close, when
Gorham Lawton paced with unsteady
step, and working features, the little
back office where his days were passed.
"Six hundred dollars in debt,' he
muttered, looking at a number of papers
he held in his hand, "and cannot meet
ten of it. My creditors will certainly
pounce upon the furniture, and Lettie
and Miranda-oh what will become of
them If had commenced in palmer
way-or not given them to understand
that my salary was larger than it is.
But something must he done tonight.
What shall it be ?"
The young man sat down, and buried
his head on the desk, and, sitting there,
a terrible temptation entered into the
heart of Gorham Lawton. At first he
tried to resist it, but it folded closer, and
closer about his soul--apd at last
No wonder the faintness of my heart
shakes my fingers 80 that cannot write
it. never knew a mans hand that he
could not initiate, and every member OF
the firms as well as his own.
. will try to win it back at some
gaming table this very night" he said,
'.and it is but thousand dollars"
~ X y
It's very strange Gorham does not
come =, said cousin Miranda Carter. fol