The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-15

day, and good fortune, until 1 see you
again; and mind, II you happen to see
little Halka, not word about what /
have told you. It's secret between
you and me. Now, where shall / find
your husband 7"
ain the far field with the oxen. If you
like, I'll give blast on the horn that'll
bring him"
"No; I'll go to him. ] like the smell
of the new mown hay In the meadow
which lies between"
Rudolph's mother watched Josef until
he was out of sight. Then she hastened
into the house and packed basket of
homemade dalnties against Rudolph's
coming in from his work.
What was his astonlshment when his
mother said, 1--WE been thinking deal
about what escaped my lips about
you and Halka, and I'm sorry for it,
She's poor, lone girl, and / ought not
to stand in the way of her happiness
Take these things to her as a peace offer
Ing, and say that I'll make her a good
mother in. law, if she has fancy to
marry my boy"
Before the words were hardly out of
her lips the astonshed woman found
herself lifted from the floor and hugged
and kissed by her son until he was out
OF breath. Then Rudolph caught up
the bas ket and FASTENED away In the
same frantic manner, leaving his moth
er hardly knowing whether to be angry
or rejoiced at his unusual demonstrative-
ness.
The consciousness that a selfish mo-
tive had been at the root of her apparent
kindness had somewhat poisoned the
pleasure which Rudolph's gratitude had
caused to stir within her heart.
AS my be expected, Rudolph soon
made his peace with Halka--or, rather,
made matters smooth between his moth
er and his .fdncee, and it was not many
weeks before wedding feast was pre-
pared for them, and the neighbors came
from far and wide to attend the festivi-
ties. The most honOred guest was their
dlu IL gave Ilul BlcuU alhuoS-
ment to see the wondering look of pret-
ty Halka when she saw him make his
appearance.
But when q little later he produced a
deed for a nice farm made out in her
name, and added to it a gift of money
aud of cattle, she went up to him and
whispered, with happy tears in her
bright eyes. "You have indeed been
like fairy godfather to me, but it is
the kindness of your own heart that
you enough ?"
zone good turn deserves another, lit
tie Halka, and that stout young husband
of yours has pair of sharp eyes that
once did me service. But mind, you
are to keep silent about what / say. A
discreet woman should know how to
hold her tongue"
81 know not how much may merit
to be considered discreet, but L will
certainly be obedient,' said Halka, mod
estly, "and shall do just as you say and
1 shall love you all my life only next to
Rudolph, and to my dear old father,
who would have been so glad to know
that his Halka is SO happy"
"And you may be sure he does know
it, said Josef, rising hastily and going
towards his wife who just then made
her appearance from another room.-
His heart was very tender, and Halka' 3
words had brought a moisture to his
eyes which he was anxious to conceal.
In after years Halka's children were
frequent visitors at his home. He and
his wife had not been blessed with chill
dren, and thus was filled blank in his
life which his vast wealth had not been
able to satisfy.
In time they became his heirs.