The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-01-11


be done to show "what his intentions
were." And year from the day on
which Mrs. Hacker took possession of
her new house, she was not surprised by
hearing that Mr.. Vreeand desired to see
her alone.
Yes, I'll see him, my dear" said
Mrs. Hacker, putting on her best cap at
the glass; "but can't help thinking of
poor Tom"
Mr.. Vreeland sat in the parlor in
exactly the proper attitude, wearing the
proper dress, and properly exclted-no
more. He informed the old lady that
he had lost his heart to her daughter,
and that as he believed he had found
favor in that young lady's eyes, desired
to have her permission to set the we'd
ding day.
And Mrs. Hacker listened calmly, and
answered thus:
"Mr. Vreeland, think you are what
they call very good match for Emma
Jane, and I've nothing against you. 1t
shall be as she chooses. Only it's but
fair to tell you this. You must take her
for herself, for in weeks time we
shall leave this house, and / shall go
back to my little shop. I've been specu-
lating, and-well, you know how things
go sometimes"
Yes, know" replied young Vree-
land. He turned pale as death as he
spoke, and sat looking down at the
carpet.
After while he said:
"Accept my condolences" and arose
and bowed himself out of the front door.
An hour afterwards Emma Jane, to
whom her mother had told the same
story of speculation and loss, received
note, which the Vreelands' black SER
want had brought to the door. 1t ran
thus:
"MY DARLING EMMA You know /
| adore and must adore you forever; but
my habits are extravagant. My father,
| like your mother, has entered into dis
astrOus speculations, and l will not bind
| you to marriage which would result in
nothing but misery. Yours ever, in
deep despair,
REGINALD VREELAND."
All, 1t was all like dream to Emma.
They went back to the old house, and
the shop was opened again. The dirty
boxes were brushed, the counter oiled,
the pins and buttons, and striped blue
elastic, and boxes Of cheap thimbles, and
the card board mottoes stamped for
working in silk, graced the glass case
once more.
The same limited number of custo-
mers dropped in, and Emma served
behind the counter, and washed the
dishes in the back room. She was very,
very wretched, and life looked dark
indeed to her.
Old Mrs. Hunt and Thomas still lived
on the upper floor. The old Grand
mother told Mrs. Hacker that she
thought Tom was beginning to like
Fanny Earle, the hair-dresser's pretty
daughter.
Sometimes Tom would pass the win
dow, but he never looked towards it.
Emma used to sit behind the counter
thinking of him. What lover she had
|
fortune hunter. Her verdict was that
she deserved her punishment, and she
was very sad and very meek.
She expected nothing now but to die
an old maid, living behind that little
shop counter, and never having any
admiration or attention again.
In this mood she sat beside her mother
one winter evening. The table was
spread with the thick stone china the
brown teapot and the pan of sausages
Missed on the stove. The door stood
open between the shop and the parlor.
All that had happened since might have
been dream, and 1t might have been
the same night, year before, when the
letter had come to them which had
made such changes, and Emma had
even poured.out the second cup of tea
for her mother, when the door of the
hall creaked, and looking up, she saw
Tom standing there. Tom, big and
brown as ever, with such look in his
eyes. But 1t could not be for her; she
did not deserve it. And Emma dropped
her head upon her hands and burst into
tears.
Then she felt Tom kneel down beside
her and put his arm around her waist.
Look at me, Emma," he whispered.
" Look at me, my dear. I cannot bear