The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-11-23

| not complain JDht ne ulu nOI hhOfu me
ample opportunity to WOO and win his
daughter IL / could. The chief difficult
ty In the way lay in the fact that had
rival who, having been longer in the
field, and apparently obtained footing
In her favor that despaired of ever be-
ing able to win. And then the fair
Lucy herself was so shy, and reserved
with me. She always had gay smile
and merry words for Fred Harding,
whilst to me she was SO shy and silent
that never could gain courage to ex-
press my love except by looks, and the
eagerness and persistency with which
/ sought her society. Had been
versed in the ways of women, should
not have let this dlshearten me 30. AS
II was, my heart sometimes beat high
with the hope of eventful success, her
| eyes grew so wonderously bright at my
approach and she blushed SO prettlly
when l spoke to her.
"Fred Harding was gentleman Of
leisure, and quite favorlte with the
| fairer portion of the community. He
had plenty of money, which he spent
freely, though where he obtained 1t was
not clear. He was slender, smooth
face chap, with soft, white hands glossy
curls and carefully got up attire. L new
er liked him, though that is not strange,
considering how he monopolized the So
ciety of my adored Lucy. He was al
ways very civil to me, but there was no
love lost on either side. There seldom
is between two men In love with the
same woman.
One day Mr.. Crofton called me on one
side, stating that he was going to give
me strong proof of his confidence in
what he was pleased to term my good
sense and integrity, by intrusting to me
some important business, to which it
would be inconvenient for him person.
ally to attend. will not take up the
time by describing the nature of this
business which has nothing to do with
my story, merely saying that it necessi-
tated my going into the interior of the
State, and taking with me $4,000.
Il was not a little proud that mis-
sion of SO much Importance should be
entrusted to me; wondering, in my ella
tiOn, If Lucy knew how much conf
dence her father had in me, and inward
ly resolving that would perform 1t in q
way that would justify his good opin-
ion.
was to take the evening train
Just before starting L called at Mr.. Crof-
toms private office to receive the money
and his parting instructions. 1 could
scarcely believe that the small package
handed me contained so large an
amount. His last injunction to me was
to put it in my breast pocket; to keep
my coat buttoned closely to the chin,
and to avoid talking with strangers.
81 took the $50 train, travelling
straight up, with only brief stoppages,
for nearly four hours. Then we came
to the junction, and, leaving the ex-
press l took the accommodation train on
another and less frequented road. There
was delay of about fifteen minutes,
owing to the fact that we were obliged
to switch off to let the express train
pass. About five minutes before we
started an old man entered whose white
beard and hair gave him very venera-
BILE appearance. He had woman with
him who clung timidly to his arm.
Do these cars go to Bolton ?" he
said addressing me.
They do" 1 replied.
Are you going as far as thatp"
I'm going beyond it," I said.
You're in luck, Emily" said the old
man addressing the veiled woman on
his arm. "Here's gentleman that's
going right through Bolton, and will
see that you don't get off at the wrong
place.
My daughter is not used to travel
ing" he added, turning to me, land is
just getting up from a serious Illness
Ifyou will kindly see that she makes no
mistake will be glad.
Certainly" responded.
Viewing with no little self COM
placency this additional proof of the
confidence that people seemed disposed
to place in me, 1 removed my cloak from
the vacant seat as tacit invitation to
my charge that she was at liberty to ap-
propriate it If she choose to do so.
Observing my movement, the old
man said:
"Thank you, sir, would you as soon
let my daughter have the seat farthest
from the Window She is so sensitive
to the cold"