The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-08
TESTING HER LOVERS.
HNHY DEAR Mrs. Hartley, what can
IVl say more to convince you of the

my DEAR Mrs Hartley, what can
IVl 1 say more to convince you of the
truth 9''
"Nothing, Mr. Roberts. 1 am not
girl now, but woman of thirty"
"Surely not. You don't look twenty
hve"
Mrs. Hartley's eyes opened little
more widely, and she gave Frank
Roberts so searching look that he saw
that he had made a mistake, and hast
ened to try and recover lost ground.
"You doubt me again." he whispered.
81 tell you that in my eyes you do not
seem to be twenty-five. Mrs. Hartley
Julia-why are you so hard upon the
man who loves you with all his hearth"
because am widow, Mr.. Roberts,
and trouble has made me hard and
worldly"
"Yes, because you were married to
man who could not appreciate your
worth, and who did not do his duty by
you"
"Suppose we say no more about my
late husband, Mr.. Roberts," said the
lady, coldly. "Mr. Hartley was just
man, even if he was stern"
Eyes, yes, of course" said the other.
ooh, what an unlucky wretch am.
Here am trying to advance my cause
1 came to the picnic on purpose; have
implored you to listen to me, and here 1
am constantly saying things you don't
like, and making myself stand lower in
your favor than did month ago."
Nonsense, Mr.. Roberts," said the
lady, smiling, and her face wore very
winning expression as she spoke. "Why
cannot we remain friends as we have
been before? Why" she added, laugh
ingly, "should marry again ?"
"Whyp" he whispered, passionately,
and certainly Frank Roberts just then
looked very manly and handsome as he
pleaded his cause with the fair widow.
'"WhyY" he whispered, bending toward
her; "as duty as a woman-to make
the man happy who loves you with all
his heart and soul. Oh, Julia, be mer-
ciful to me when 1 plead to you like
this, when-Oh, Heaven this is too
bad. You are laughing"
Guilty, Mr.. Roberts," said the wild
ow; "but how could help it when L
find you talking to me like hero in a
story. 1 can only think it droll, and of
course laugh.'
"If do not know you to be all that is
tender and lovable and good,'' he cried,
81 should think your heart was of
stone"
''Now you are trying the compli-
mentary tact, Roberts, and you know
what said about my age. Please do re-
member that 1 am not a young girl"
81 remember nothing but that love
you passionately," he cried, "and that
would do anything, even to plunging
into yon river, if it would make you
happy"
''And pray how could your doing such
silly thing as jumping into the water
and getting muddy and wet make me
happy 2" she asked, merrily.
"You would be happier if were
dead,'' he cried, tragically.
"Good gracious, mol" she cried.
"There's plenty of room in this world
for both. But now look here, Mr.. Rob.
erts, you say you have fallen deeply in
love with me.n
81 adore you,'' he cried, rapturously.
Heavens, what goddess must be, y
she said, merrily. "Well, then, you
worship me, and I understand from
your discourse, Mr.. Roberts, that you
would do anything to make me happy
'Indeed-on my soul would"
''There is no occasion to swear it, Mr..
Roberts," said the widow. "Proof will
do.n
"How can prove itY Tell me,n he
cried.
"By talking no more nonsense to me
for the rest of the day."
Mrs. Hartley Julia 70
"And by taking me at once back tc