The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-06-28

required his presence. Poor Effie wan
dered about the house like an unquiet
spirit after his departure. At length,
bright thought struck her.
6 Mother, this would be the very time
for my visit to the Holts. Let me send
a telegram to say will arrive to-mor-
row. They have always begged me to
come at moments notice, and L may
not be able to go later on"
=" But they have people staying with
them" objected Mrs Perceval.
" Never mind; they will put me up
somehow. Do let me 60"
every well, DEAR" agreed her mother,
rather reluctantly; to oppose any wish
of Effie's was an impossibility to her.
" You must take Susan with you."
cob, yes; and my diamonds" laugh
ed Effie. "Do you remember was to
have taken them last year to show Mrs.
HoltY She was so envious at my good
luck in having them left to me; a chit
like you,' remember she said.'
Mrs. Perceval rejoiced to find that all
remembrance of the shock her daughter
had sustained year ago seemed blotted
out of her mind. No painful thoughts
appeared to linger of that interrupted
visit to the Priory.
"Well, Effie, send off your telegram,
then; but you need not say your da-
mOnds will accompany you," she added
laughing.
Effie flew up to the little village post
office, and dashed off the following mes
sage:
" l am coming to morrow for a few
days, unless you telegram back to the
contrary"
In the evening, Mrs. Perceval inquir-
ed If she had received an answer.
ooh, no; 1 told them not to answer
unless they could not have me-"
'Still 1 wonder you have not heard"
| returned her mother; but Effie was
quite sure it was all right, SO no more
was said.
Next morning she was up early, put
ting the finishing strokes to her pack
ing, laughing and singing, apparently
in the highest spirits. "Good-by, dar-
ling mother. shall write to you to-
morrow. Isn't it oddY 1t was this
very day, August fourth, that we were
to have gone to the Holts last year. :"
Still no painful "reminiscences on the
subject. Her mother kissed and blessed
her, preached care and caution, and so
they parted.
On arriving at X station, Effie
was somewhat surprised to find that no
vehicle awaited her from the Priory !;
however, as she was able to procure a
fly without any difficulty, the omission
was of little consequence. 1t so hap
pened she had never visited the Holts
before, great friends though they were.
They had met abroad and at the houses
of common friends, but something had
always come in the way of visit to the
Priory, and Effie could scarcely believe
she was really OIL her way thither. AS
the fly drove up to the door of the old
house, she saw Mrs. Holt in the garden,
and putting out her head, nodded and
smiled gaily. Up ran her hostess, ex-
claiming, "Effie, my dear child, what q
delightful surprise Why didn't you
let US know you were coming 2"
"Surely you received my telegram
yesterday"
"No; did you send one? Oh, that
dreadful boy at the post office. He really
must be got rid of. This is the third
telegram he has lost in month-care-
less, good for nothing young rascal.
Never mind about that now, however.
How delightful to think you really are
here at last.'
" But is it convenientY Are you sure
you can put me up 7" asked Effie.
"Oh, forgot every room is full"
cried her friend, stopping short in dis
may as she was hurrying her into the
house. "But can manage; you won't
mind. oh yes, know; that will do
nicely. There's Fred; he will be sur
prised. Do you know who this isY
she called out to her husband, who was
coming down stairs.
"Efiie Perceval. Can 1 believe my
eyes ?"
I" Yes; and she telegraphed yesterday
to say she was coming, and that horrible
boy must have lost the message. Fred,
you must have him sent away"
While Effie was lunching, Colonel
Holt ran over the names of those who
were staying in the house, and of those