The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-07-05

had beheld once before, go gliding away
through the starless night.
lie did not attempt to follow, though the
smell of chloroform it had left behind was
amply sufficient to convince him that his
mysterious visitant was mortal, like him
sell, and that it had tried to benumb his fac
ulties in the same way Father Greyson's
had been benumbed. The reason for this
was not so clear, however. A common bur-
gar would not have resorted to such an ex-
pedient while the whole house was in COM
motion. What did it mean?
He suddenly remembered the scrap of
paper he had laid away in his pocket-book.
1t would seem that the ghostly intruder had
attempted to gain possession of that paper,
in the first instance. What was more prob
able than that he had been seen to pick il
from the floor? which would be amply suf-
ficient to explain why he had been made
the subject of the second attempt Of the
contents of the paper he was wholly ignor-
ant, however.
His name was presently called from the
hall outside. Hurrying out he found Mrs.
Henderson looking for him.
"Master is terribly worked up over some
paper or other that he has lost" she said.-
"We told him you were the first to find
him, and he thinks you may have seen it.
He is asking for you"
Phil hurried to the study. As he entered.
Father Greyson half raised himself from
the sofa on which he was lying, beckoning
for him to approach.
"The paper, Phil" he whispered, ex-
citedly. "You have itp''
The question must have been audible in
all parts Of the room. Miss Wyndham
came gliding i'll just in season to hear it,
and seemed to await the answer quite az
eagerly as did Father Greyson himself.
Phil nodded assent. "I thought the pa
per might be of value, and SO took care Of
it."
The sick man caught it eagerly "Thank
you, Phil" he said, looking very much re-
lieved.
what was the cause of this last at
tackT' he asked, curious to learn how
much the old man suspected.
A look of fear crept into Father Grey
sons face. He put his lips close to Phil's
ear.
81 shall tell you the truth, though I have
kept it back from the Others "he said, in an
almost inaudible voice. "I could not rest
in my bed up stairs for thinking of a duty
l owe to Dote, one which l have kept put
ting off from time to time. So arose and
came down to my study, and straightway
wrote out the secret contained in this pre-
cious paper for her to read when am gone.
These lines were scarcely penned when l
became conscious of another presence in
the room, and looking about, saw tall
white form standing just behind my chair
The next moment hand-a woman's hand
was held out for the paper. I held it all
the tighter and cried out, for sponge was
suddenly thrust under my nose. Will yOs
believe it, Phil, that sponge exhaled chlOro-
form?''
His tone was expressive of dread. Tho
young man thought it best to make no
comments.
"You have not told Dote this?''
"No. She thinks over-exerted myself
and became faint. Mrs Henderson knowa,
but have cautioned her to be silent"
Miss Wyndham had taken position by
the window opposite. AS Phil turned away,
she signalled him to approach.
"Mr. Greyson has been making some
revelations" she said, fixing her eyes curl
ously upon his face. What is itP"
You are mistaken" Phil answered.
amazed at her inquisitiveness. "Thers il
nothing to tell"
"Then you have not read that paper OF
his, and know nothing of its'purport ?"
She paused in breathless expectancy, and
seemed singularly relieved when he denied
all knowledge of its contents.
81 have no right to ask SO many ques-
tions," she resumed, laughing lightly. "But
mother Eve was very inquisitive woman,
and l have only inherited her failing"
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