The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-03-16


most ran home TO put II into execution.
But how easy to get pen, ink and paper
how difficult to write! / tore up letter
after letter; again and again / tried, but
the hopelessness of expressing my feel
ings was great. Should leave 1t and
go and say my say In personY No, no,
could not do that. My tongue would
cleave to my mouth the very thought
seemed to deprive me of all power Of
articulation. Here goes 1 said at last
will write 1t Off at once and won't
read 1t over
I" My dear''-Here was at full stop
already. How was 1 to begin If L
were doing 1t personally, / might try
the effect of Alice,' spoken in low,
deep tone, but 1t looks SO cool on paper
Therefore 1 began again: "My dear
Miss Gordon"-I can't remember the
the words, though no doubt my wife
does, but know my letter was very
tender, and l hope very earnest and i'm
pressive.
was once more puzzled how to end
my epistle, but at last decided on
Believe me, dear, dear Miss Gordon,
waiting in trembling hope and fear,
yours in life, and death, yours only and
forever,
PHILIP GwYNNE."
This dispatched to Miss Gordon, en-
closing note to the young lady's papa,
to be delivered at her discretion. You
may believe 1 scarcely closed my eyes
all that night.
Next day, Christmas day, was too
busy to attend church but l got clear
about four o'clock, and hastily dressing
myself, started for Mr.. Gordons. He
met me warmly.
Come in here, my dear fellow" said
he; =" 1 can't tell you how pleased she
is-my wife, l mean. And am quite
satisfied as to money and worldly
affairs. Quite. Old Thompson's is a
good practice. We must have settle
ment you know but that'll be all right.
Rather you have her than an earl. God
bless you am proud to call you son.
I've spoken to her. She loves you, my
boy--loves you dearly, she says, and has
done so long. And now that you are
one of the family, may as well tell you
a secret. My youngest daughter is en-
gagged too Yes, Alice and my nephew
are going to make match of it. Don't
look so astonished. She'll make him a
good wife; for though she is year
younger than dear Hetty, she looks
older, you know, and is more steady and
sedate. But Hetty's dear girl, and
will, Pm sure make you happy. Don't
speak, don't speak There, I'll send
her in," and off the lawyer bolted in his
usual jerky way before could speak a
word.
"Was / mad Was L dreaming
Alice the younger Alice engaged
Hetty loving me dearly Hetty coming
| to me! Ye powers what was 1t all
aboutp How could have been such a
| fool? A thousand hitherto unnoticed
facts crowded on my brain, confirming
the statement. How could have trust
ed appearances 80 utterly, and taken her
for the oldest without being certain
She engaged and wild, merry, sweet
Hetty loving me 1t still would moi
enter my brain. What should l do
Get up and bolt and explain after
ward?
Isprang up to obey my impulse. AS
did so the door opened, and with down
| nd h1t,chac mn
in. rushed eagerly toward her ant
grasped her hands. would confess all
L thought. :" Hetty-" began. Sh'
mistook my action, my words, for affec
ton. She came nearer to me, responded
to my warm clasp, and then, overcome
by shyness,h her pretty curly head OF
my shoulder. My embarrassment mo
mentarily increased. '@Oh Hetty, Het
ty--'' began once more.
"Dear Philip" she whispered, il
reply to what she deemed affection, ."
am so happy, Philip"
What could do Tell her it was al
mistake, and thus blight the brigh
young life and heart for ever? In tina
one second made great decision. M,
chances of happiness had fled. woult
sacrifice myself and marry her, and sh
should never know the truth.
God bless you Hetty; will try an
make you happy !" and 1 kissed tn
wild, teasing, merry girl, now so gentle
so winning, SO sweet. 1 could not rude
ly break her heart.
She looked up, and then hid her fac
again on my shoulder, and clung to m
A, l. L. nAicn, Il Of rnnnni