The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-05-18


again TO our hearts, and laughed and
cried over him In that great Joy which
Is we'll nigh pain. Mrs. Conrad was
there too. Gorham went to her, but
when he would have spoken she laid
her hand on his lips, "Do not thank
me,'' she said, 81 have only paid what
/ owed you"
And have no doubt IL was through
her influence that >Gorham was, soon
after, elevated to much more honora-
BILE and lucrative situation than the one
he had formerly occupied in her hus.
bands establishment.
/ need not say that Gorliam never
fell again. Aye, / believe that he is
this hour a stronger and better man
because of that time Of weakness. Was
he not afterward doubly tender and
charitable to the slnningr Did he not
struggle harder and with longer endur-
ing patience to reclaim Others because
he had once sinnedp All they who
have felt the temptation can pity the
offender
Seven years had passed. 1t was day
bright with sunshine, and balmy with
soft odors from the summer woods. Mrs.
Conrad was passing 1t at our house, and
she looked very young and fair In the
robes of widowhood which she had
worn for two years.
And a little longer than this had we
worn these tokens for the Dead" for
cousin Miranda Carter had Joined our
father and mother In heaven.
"Now, don't you think, Mercy" 1
jestingly asked, in some pause of the
conversation, that it's manifestly
Gorham's duty to get marriedp He is
over thirty years old, and / verging
toward old maidlsm, am obliged to stay
here to be his dutiful housekeeper,
thereby letting slip all chances of ever
being my own. It's too bad, and Pm
going to mutiny."
Some one called me at that moment,
and left the room before Mercy could
reply.
" There is reason (you understand
it, Mrs. Conrad why have never ask
ed any woman to be my wife," said
| Gorham, in low, solemn tones.
She flashed up an inquiry in his face
with those large, deep-set eyes.
"Oh Gorham, 1t is very wrong even
ever love you less"
"Do you think so p''
" know it.''
| " There is but one woman ON the face
of the earth whom / would care to
known that it would influence. Shall 1
tell you who she Is r''
Yes
Yourself"
Another inquiry startled wondering,
flashing up from those glorious eyes.
"Oh, Gorhaml" and she burst into
tears. He took her hands, and he was
answered.
To think" she said to him, half an
hour afterward, ''you suppose 1 could
let that matter influence me /, who
have known from my childhood your
ingrained nobleness, and truth and gen.
erosity Besides have L nothing to
contest Did not marry an old man
for his wealth, when loved him only
as a child should love its father
But was an orphan and alone,
Gorham, and toiling very hard in my
arduous school duties; and when he
brought his niece there, and took so
much interest in me, of course L was
very grateful.
Then when at last he asked me SO
tenderly to be his wife, and promised to
surround me with all the beauty and
luxury my nature had always painted
after, could not refuse him.
"I / did all that could be done to make
him happy and am sure succeeded"
swell, if you marry me, you will at
least not marry for money!" replied
Gorham.
When / returned to the room my
surprise was as great as my satisfaction
at the result of my remark about my
brother getting married. The marriage
in due time took place and they lived
happily, near neighbors to me and my
husband who soon found after Gorham
did not need me for his housekeeper.
We all often think over the days of our
early lives, and love yet to talk of the
times when my brothers. wife was only
Deacon Sharpe's Wife's Niece"
Timely Caution.
Genuine Hon Bitters are nut uD In