The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-04-20

four months. During my visits Ellen
was constantly In and out of the room,
ready to attend to her uncle; and when
leisure permitted, she would bring her
work, and sitting opposite the chess
table, would occasionally watch the
game. Sometimes she was accompanied
by another young lady, who 1 after
wards learned was her hired companion.
Miss Leclerc-for that was her name
had enteaed Mr.. Russel's family as
governess when Ellen was about four
teen years of age, she herself being only
seventeen. When Ellen's education
was completed, the governess was trans
formed Into the companion, and such
she still remained at the time of my
visits. /, however, did not see much of
her, as she did not often come into Mr..
Russel's sanctum.
have said that Ellen often watched
the game; and cannot tell how 1t was,
but whenever she did SO, 1 was almost
invariably checkmated, L suppose l
was nervous and played badly. AT any
rate, lose did and yet ] would not
have had her away for the world for by
this time-l may as well confess it--I
was deeply in love with her; and what
IL did lose few paltry games of chess2
AS long as her sweet eyes watched my
proceedings with interest, was well
repaid. l may say parenthetically that
l always took my revenge when she was
not present; for by this time 1 had
regained my old play, and was Mr..
Russel's master at 1t.
Up to this period no word of love had
passed between us; and sooth to say, l
knew not whether it would be agreeable
either to her or to her uncle. Nay, L
was almost inclined to think that il was
wrong for me to entertain such feeling,
under the circumstances in which had
been introduced to the family. Right
or wrong, however, felf ii to be set
tied fact, and could no more help it
than L could help breathing. This deep
feeling, Joined to the uncertainty of its
propriety and to vague sense of its
hopelessness, quite unsettled me indeed
so much so that resolved to stay away
from the Willows-at least for a time.
think should have persevered in my
resolve to stay away; but by the end of
week / received so kind letter-re-
Russell, that my determination gave
way, or rather, may say, gave way to
another. This was to speak to him, to
admit my affection for his neice, and to
crave his permission to address her.
"By 80 doing" / said to myself, lone
source of uncertainty will at any rate be
| removed"
The same evening found me again at
the Willows; and taking advantage of
Ellen's absence, 1 told Mr.. Russell all
in nervous, disjointed manner, have
no doubt, but still plainly and simply.
did not praise myself, nor did in O
mock modest style speak of unworthi-
ness, etc.
The old gentleman heard me to the
end, speaking never word, but looking
with half closed eyes straight into my
face-a habit no doubt acquired in his
professional career.
81 am pleased Mr. Wallis,' he said at
length when / had finished, "to hear
this confession, because have seen for
sometime how the land lay as the
sailors have it,"
"You have noticed it," exclaimed
in surprise.
"Yes," he replied "We lawyers are
trained to observe little signs. Many a
time an almost imperceptible look of
surprise, or the faintest show Of disi ,ay
on mans face, has given me the clue
in difficult case. Can you think then
that signs so plain as you have given
could be overlooked by mep No, my
friend, needed not your present con-
fession to tell me that you love my
niece and yet as L have said, L am
pleased to hear it, because it confirms
the estimate 1 had formed of your char
acter What the estimate is, 1 need
not say, except that 1 am quite willing
that you should try to win her aftec-
tions. Had it not been so, should not
have written the letter of yesterday, but
have found some means of causing you
to cease your visits entirely"
On hearing this my heart was almost
too full for utterance. grasped him by
the hand, and thanked him most heart.
lily for his kindness.
"Mind," he continued, 81 can say
nothing about Ellen. You have my
consent to try to win her-but beyond
this I cannot 90. She must please her