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


sky that was cloudlng over The bare
branches ofthe trees swayed and wrlthed
savagely occasionally little showers of
dry, dead leaves, that were not yet sod
den and decayed, flurried up and down
and the roar of the fire in the chimney
completed the outside picture of a dull
autumn afternoon.
In Miss Miners sitting-room, howev-
er, everything was as cozy and delightful
as could be desired, with the warm GRIM
son lambrequins, with their heavy cords
and tassals, and the carpet to match in
tints, and the furniture of light gray DAM
ask, pufTed with crimson, and the gray
and gold wall paper, and the pretty
knick. knacks here and there that furn-
ished the room in such admirable taste.
And Hettie Miner, sitting before the
open grate-stove fire, her black silk skirt
turned carefully back over her lap, and
her substancially-m made pebble.goat boots
resting comfortably on the fender.
An elderly woman-40 odd-with a
sharp, shrewd face and bright little eyes,
A homely, outspoken woman, who was
proud to say she had never been in love,
who lived in luxury, although on a
small scale, and who had $75, ,000in Gov
ernment bonds to leave her relations
when she died; and in all the world she
had but two relatives, Mrs. Carisford
Carl, her married sister, and Mr.. Parker
Dollingby, her alfbrother, who, be-
sides being inordinately jealous that old
Simon Carmen had left Hetty his for
tune, just because she had happened to
befriend him in his poor, ante mining
days, were very much given to toadying
her and writing affectionate letters to
her, and loading her with presents, and
forcing invitations on her all of which
Miss Miner accepted in matter-o fact
way, and in return did exactly as she
pleased.
This especial afternoon, as she sat
meditatively before the fires suddenly
broke the stiffness, with an energy of
speech that made the young girl reading
in the bay-window, nearly concealed by
the curtains, look startedly up from her
book:
"Ellice, you're fool |"
Evidently, Ellice Dunning had not
lived five years as companion and per-
sonal attendant to Miss Miner in vain,
for she manifested no surprise at the
rough speech, beyond the brief little start
led look in her soft winey- brown eyes.
She closed her book and came out into
the room, little flush on her face.
"Do you think SO, Miss Miner ?"
"Most certainly think so, or should
not have said so. You are fool, Ellice
Dunning, and hate to see you throw
yourself away so foolishly. Do show
your common sense, if you've got any,
and let that young jackanapes of a doc
tor CO. You are better off without him.
I'll give you new sealskin sacque this
winter if you'll give him up"
81 couldn't give him up, Miss Miner
love him too we'll"
Miss Miner looked sarcastically at Ell
Ices sweet flushed face, and gave sniff
of contempt.
"What nonsense You love him too
well. Love indeed It's all adsurdity.
1 never was in love in all my life."
Ellice dropped her head in a pretty,
little confused way.
"I-can't help that, Miss Miner.
love Frank, and he loves me. We'd be
perfectly miserable if we were parted
toll L h;
Indeed, 1t is impossible. We are engag-
ed to be married just as soon as he comes
back from his visit home"
Miss Miner dropped her feet from the
polished silver bar to the tiled hearth
with resonant bang as she jumped up,
Indignantly.
Engaged to be married to DIR. Olevin
Did ever! Well, Ellice Dunning-very
well. You may pack my hand-valise at
once. am going to New York on q
visit by the 6:l0 train, and I'll be home
on Thursday. When come back, don't
let me find you here, you ungrateful lit
tie wretch-you."
Ellice's lips quivered, and her eyes
filled with acknowledged tears.
"Miss Miner. You don't mean-to-
turn me away"
THAT is just what l mean. / have
told you time and again, / didn't APP
prove of men -beaux and love making,
and 1 won't have it where / am. You
can take your choice-me or DIR. Olevin.
Ill give you just five minutes"
II don't want five minutes for choice