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

" am not worthy Of you,'' said.
Yes you are" she exclaimed; CT
am not worthy Of you.''
There was no escape for me. She
wouldn't see me In my worst light. She
would love me.
| We sat down side by side. She pratt
tied to me how Alice and Willie had
long loved each other, but that It had
never been a settled thing until now, for
his position had not been such that he
could marry.
And Alice Is SO glad for me-" went
on Hetty, little thinking what my feel
ings were. She says you're Just the
kind of man she would like for a
brother. You know 1t would not do for
us both to want you for husband-eh,
Philip 20
"No, dearest" 1 stammered, ait
would not"
could not talk to her, but she seemed
not to mind my silence. We sat hand
In hand, dreaming, thinking. Inward
ly l was repeating my letter to Charley
Somers, telling him all about my love
for Alice. Now / must hasten to tell
himit was Hetty / meant. Oh dear
what wild whirl my poor brain was
in.
AT last, to my great relief, Mr. and
Mrs. Gordon entered. Mrs. Gordon
shook me warmly by the hand and said,
" Dear Mr. Gwynne, there is no one
would rather give my wild young birdie
to than you. Alice though younger, is
so quiet and steady she is far more capa-
ble of acting for herself; but you'll al
ways be kind and tender to Hetty won't
you ?"
" OF course he will-of course he will
cried Mr.. Gordon, Come Gwynne.
and wash your hands.'
Deeply grateful for the chance mot
that my hands were dirty, but because
felt should burst out crying or do
something equally absurd if stopped
there), L followed him.
"What time do you dine, Mr.. Cor
don ?" l asked.
"Six," he replied. +" 1t is now a
quarter-past five.''
All, shall just have time" 1 said.
find L have forgotten to leave or
ders ebout certain medicine. If you'll
allow me, III just run down to the sur
gerry, for it will not do to be careless
about physic."
Certainly not, certainly not,,' said
Mr.. Gordon though very excusable un-
der the circumstances; make haste, six
sharp"
almost ran off. let myself in with
the latch key. Oh joy, it was empty
1 sank into chair and paused to think
What should do :? The only time for
escape was now. Should L send up a
note to say was suddenly called out,
and see what tomorrow would do p
Should pack up my things, throw my
profession to the winds, and bolt p
They were not tempting alternatives.
almost did the first. But was L not a
mean coward ?-was L not going to act
unworthy gentleman After plight
ing my troth, receiving her shy kisses,
could now explain And yet, was it
right to marry one sister, loving the
other? Why had they not seen L loved
Alice, and told me at once my case was
hopeless ? Why did not L open my
eyes and see that, contrary to appear
ances, she was the youngerp No use to
ask that now,
My duty was clear, my course plain.
smoothed my tumbled hair, bathed my
hot temples in cold water, and deter
mined to be man and no coward. /
: would act my part and trust to time to
make 1t natural to me.
So retraced my steps, and entered
the Gordons' drawing room just as the
clock struck six. I was of course in
troduced to Cousin Willie. He was
tall, fair-bearded fellow looked and spoke
like gentleman, and seemed very fonC
of Alice, and she of him. Somehow ]
felt better when / saw them together
| After all, Hetty was just as pretty will
her wavy, glossy hair, her bright eyes,
{ with their new softened expression, anC
' that shy smile around her rosy mouth
| L declare L found myself comparing
Q them to my little ones advantage, anC
felt quite proud as led her to the din.
| ing room.
e What need say more Day by day
/, my lot grew SUMMER, my little Hetty
grew dearer and dearer to me. never
knew her otherwise than bright ant
e good-tempered; while Alice-butI mus
e not tell tales-Alice is dear girl and
am very fond of her. and of nv nenh