The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-22


"I to be In Plymouth for few
days longer" said Herder, "and hope
we shall see each other again"
"I hope so, too, sir, answered the boy
heartily.
The two new friends parted very cor
daily.
Before Herder reached the town again,
he had resolved to visit Mrs. Valance.
When he had parted from his aunt In
the morning, she had told him he should
do so, and he had answered her with
halfpromse, not himself certain that he
wished to follow her advice Immediately,
though the intention of making himself
known sooner or later to Mrs. Valance
had been in his thoughts since his con-
versation with Hammond. Tie events
of the morning had had the effect of
quickening his intention. He knew the
cottage in which Mrs. Valance lived, he
had been directed to it by Miss Field,
and he had to pass it in returning to his
aunt's house. He rang the bell, and
instead of its being answered by SER
want, the door was opened by Mrs. Val
lance herself. The single maid servant
of the family was out for the afternoon.
Brought thus suddenly face to face with
Mrs. Valance, George was for moment
taken somewhat aback, but in the next
he felt almost certain that he was recog-
ni2ed. A quick, half. doubtful look came
into her face.
"MIs. Valance" he said, "do you
know an old friendY" His voice con-
firmed her recognition.
"You are-George Herder,' she an
swered in low voice, which, despite the
effort made to control it, trembled. She
led him into little sitting room.
"You know me again, very quickly,
Mrs. Valance" George began in rath-
er hurried manner; "as quickly as 1 did
you. l saw you the other night at Mrs.
Norcott's"
''Were you there How did never
see you ?" Her voice was still not very
firm.
"Easiy enough. 1 was with Fred
Hammond. We did not stay long, and
kept a good deal in the background,
for L knew no one. 1 did not see you
till just before we left, while you were
playing"
The meeting might have seemed to a
casual on-looker very ordinary one,
and to one of an emotional nature, who
was aware of nothing further than that
the two were old friends, less cordial
than the occasion warranted. But Her
der was an undemonstrative man, not
through sluggishness, but through shy
mess of temperament and Kate Val
lance's life had been such as had tended
to subdue in her the outward expression
of emotion. George Herder narrated to
his listener the chief events of his colo
nial life; and Kate related her history
since the two had parted. And thus it
was, with old memories, walked to new
life, stirring in the heart of each, the
two met and talked with scarcely the
expressed warmth of old friends. By
and-by, Katy Valance, returning from
afternoon school, entered the room, and
was introduced to the stranger.
"You will stay to tea with us, Mr..
Herder, will you not, and wait till John
comes back 2" Mrs Valance said and
George consented, although he was due
at his aunt's to 6 o'clock dinner.
John Vallance's sport improved as the
day wore on, and he fingered late by the
river. His mother and sister, with
George Herder, were standing in the
verandah of their cottage, awaiting his
return, and John saw, as he drew near
the house, the third figure of the party.
The sight somewhat surprised him, for
visitors of the male sex were not frequent
at the cottage; but his surprise was in d.
creased ten-fold when he made out the
figure of his friend of the morning.
john said Mrs. Valance, when her
son had approached, 'this is an old
friend Of mine, who tells me that you
and he have already met. He is the
nephew of Miss Field, and went to Aus
tralia many years ago, you have heard
her tell. His coming back has taken us
all by surprise"
"Why, when mentioned Miss Fields
name this morning you never said any
thing, said John.
mo; must ask your pardon for that
little deception" said Herder, with a
smile. II was not sure at the time that
we should meet again so soon."
There seemed to John Valance to be
not a little mystery about the stranger.