The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-05-17

on her face ever since the investigation of
the officer tended only to increase the mys-
terry.
had been so engrossed with the thing
itself that I had paid little attention to any
one but the chief actors in it; so when hap
pened to go back to the library, to fetch
the bonnet had hastily thrown there, l
was surprised to find Myra Richardson sit
ting in exactly the same attitude in which
lhad left her nearly an hour ago. She did
not move even when / entered.
Are you asleep Myra?" I exclaimed,
flashing the candle across her face; and
then saw that it was ghostly white, though
her beautiful eyes were shining like stars.
"Were you frightened?' 1 said, again
holding the candle in front of her.
81 am very thankful we were out of the
house" she answered, slowly, and appar-
emily with an effort for her lips trembled.
"You absurd child! Why, who would
have suspected us? We are ladies'"
"True," she said, softly; "but--"
And then she rose and gathered her shawl
round her as if she was very cold, and hur-
ried out of the room.
A week and then a fortnight passed. and
still no clue to the robber had been found
neither had the police been able to throw
suspicion on any servants in or about the
house.
On the second Sunday after the robbery. 7
happened to walk home with Mrs Furnival
from evening service. was favorit,e of
hers, and as we entered the grounds, she
put her arm through mine, and, slackeninc
her pace said-"It is a lovely evening.
Ethel; let us have turn round the rose-gar-
den."
AS we entered the beautiful little enclo-
sure, where the rich odor of roses of ell
kinds came almost oppressively on the even
ing air, she said suddenly -" Ethel,
want to tell you secret; you are the only
girl l would trust. l have been robbed
again"
l started with almost scream.
"Hush?' said the principal; "hush! I
must have this kept secret"
"Robbed againp' 1 repeated. "Whenq"
Last night. Listen quietly. I did not
put the money in the escritoire till ten o.
clock in the evening. thinking it safe in
my pocket; but being in a hurry, and tired,
and never sleeping with money in my bed
room, put it in the usual place. This morn
ing, on going to take it out before going to
church, l found the drawer empty, unlock
ed as before.''
Incomprehensiblel'
"Some one has key which opens the
drawer, that is evident
was silent fora moment, perfectly dumb
founded by the intelligence. At. length |
said impetuously-"Y You must have us all
searched, Mrs. Furnival; it is only just to
the innocent"
" l can't Ethel" she replied quickly; cat
least, not yet. have told you this in conf
dence, remember. You must not betray
my secret"
/" But"
| AT that instant, however, came the sound
of quick light step running along on the
other side of the rose-hedg e, and startled us
both into silence. A very light step it was
light enough for only one pair of feet
that we knew; and the next instant Myra
Richardson ran by, looking neither to the
right nor left, and with her head BEN
down in peculiar fashion.
"Myra," whispered Mrs. Furnival
"What is she doing here? Why is she no
with the others ?''
"Shall call to her?" l said.
"No, no, not for worldsp' answered til,
principal, in quite panied tone; and theI
she took my arm again and began walking
slowly back to the house.
A few of the girls were assembled in th
supper-room as we entered, and anon,
them was Myra, standing before the look
ing-glass decking her hair with lilies O
the valley; and l must say had neve