The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-08

seize any opportunity for saying what
perhaps may prove distasteful things"
Yes of course exactly" she stam-
mered.
"There," he said, turning upon her
grave, kin dly smile, I" meant to speak
to you in plain and simple words, and
find myself, old as / am, as agitated as
some youth. will try and be plain.'
Eyes" she said quickly: "please,"
and her breath came shorter in her agi-
tation.
" have just learned some very seri-
Gus news"
&C Indeed?' she said, her voice shaking
in spite of herself.
"Yes. have learned from two sources
that your late husbands fortune leaves
you at once, and that you will be almost
penniless. Is 1t true 7"
I" Yes,' she said, "quite; and you
have come to say that was not to think
anything more of what you asked me
short time back"
He looked at her half surprised, half
hurt, and then smiled sadly.
"May ask you one question ~ he
said.
Yes," she replied, in quick, sharp,
agitated way.
=" 1t is plain one, but my happiness
depends upon your reply, and ask you
boldly, have you promised your hand to
Mr.. Roberts?"
"Nol' she cried, her eyes flashing
scorn, nor to any such mercenary
creature"
"Then there is hope for me, julia"
he said in low, deep voice. "a month
back felt that it was presumptious to
ask you, and that my sentiments might
be misjudged. 1t is still presumption
on my part, but L cannot be charged
with sordid motives now, and am
glad that the money looked upon as
an obstacle is no longer there. / cannot
offer you more than a comfortable home,
but will try and make that home rich,
Julia, with the devotion of life.o
She painted and trembled and tried to
speak, but her emotion choked her, and
SO overcome was she by the the different
way in which matters had turned, that
in spite of her strength of mind, she
broke into q passionate burst of hysteri-
cal weeping, and INCREASINGLY sobbed
herself calm upon his breast.
Luke Morris blessed the thick clumps
of bushes that hid them from the rest of
the company and he blessed the day
Mrs. Hartley's poverty-he blessed her
for letting him draw her INTERESTINGLY
closer and closer to his breast, where
she sobbingly told him that she should
only be burden to him for life, and
finally she walked away with him, radi-
ant and happy, and with her cheeks
and eyes telling tales.
They passed Frank Roberts soon after
with one of the Grantby girls, a rather
plain brunette, with handsome posi-
ton and Roberts looked a little con-
scious, though he need not lave troubled
himself, for the blush on Mrs. Hartley's
cheek was called forth now, not from
meeting him, but on account of meeting
the old doctor, who looked curiously
from one to the other.
"May 1 tell him, Julia ~ whispered
Morris.
eyes"
''Doctor, Julia Hartley has promised
to be my wife," said Morris quietly.
"Has she ~ cried the old man, and
his SCARED wrinkled face lit up with a
broad smile. "I'm glad of it; Julia, my
child, Pm glad of it, for you've won a
true, sterling man for husband and
as for you, Morris-oh, I'M ashamed of
you-you mercenary dog"
"Mercenary mercenary," exclaim-
ed Morris. "Well, come, that is good.
Why you told me an hour ago that Mrs.
Hartley's fortune was gone"
"To be sure / did"
"And it is quite right" said Mrs.
Hartley. cat least 1t will be gone"
"Not it, my dear" said the old doctor,
chuckling. "That was dodge of mine
to try for you which of your lovers was
worth having. 1t was my touchstone,
and you see it showed you at once that
Roberts was base metal, and Morris
here true gold"
'sBut-do you mean to say, DOCTOR
cried the lady, ''that what you said about
Mr.. Hartley's property was untrue 2"
Every word of 1t, my dear"
"Then you are base, cruel, wicked
old man; If my poor dead husband,
whom you called your friend could know
how you DETAINED him"
HE would slap me on the back as he
used to do, my dear, and call me his true
friend for securing by trick a genuine
honest man for his wife, instead of a
heartless, ,mercenary scoundrel and God
bless you both, I'wish you joy"
Mrs. Hartley only exclaimed "Oh ~
and when the doctor pressed her hand
she evidently forgave him, for she press
ed his warmly in return. But when
Frank Roberts found out the truth, be
was furious, and called the doctor bad
name, that perhaps 1t would be as we'll
again for the benefit OF Luke Morris
on the morning when he led the pretty
widow to church to change her name.