The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-06-14
No. "a.

heard it from some of the village gossips;
there are so many who would enjoy telling
him." said Phebe. "But of course he can
not know all'
"He never shall know ALL Phebe. I'vo
made you wretched enough | You shall
never be troubled by me again.
"But couldn't live without seeing YOU.
Joe," cried Phebe "and there may vet
come time when we can see each other
openly, without fear or disgrace"
The young man shook his head hope
lessly.
"We will wait and hope, Joe," she whis-
pered. "Now 1 must go. No, no, YOU
must not go home with me You might
be seen; it was very dangerous for you to
come to-day; and / am not afraid.
shall wait to see you in your boat before
/ CO."
The young man got into row-boat, whose
rope he had fastened to a stone, and was
soon rowing away to where his ship, the
Winged Rover, lay at anchor, looking like
a great, black shadow in the moonlight.
Phebe turned towards the house. There
was no light to be seen in any of the win
dows; it was evident that Aunt Jane was
sleeping the sleep of the just unconscious
OF her niece's absence. So Phebe walked
ieisurely along, now and then casting q
backward glance at the Winged Rover
But when she come within few feet of the
pasture bars she started back with low
cry OF alarm man stood leaning over
them in careless attitude, watching her in
tently.
'Pray don't let me alarm you, Miss
Phebe," he said, reassuringly and as he
lifted his hat Phebe recognized Mr.. Gerald
Bayne.
Never agreeable in its expression, his
face now wore a look of malicious triumph
that made it positively repulsive to Phebe:
she saw at once that he had witnessed her
meeting with captain Matthews; she re-
membered with thrill of terror that he
might have heard all their conversation.
"Will you allow me to accompany yoa
home? 1t is not safe for you to be out 50
late alone" he said quietly.
Phebe drew herself up haughtily. His
tone and manner deceived her. He had
not heard, or he would not be SO calm, she
thought.
81 don't need any escort for so short q
distance, thank you,' she said, coldly, at
tempting to pass him.
He stepped before her and whispered a
few words in her ear. low, half-stitled
cry broke from her lips, and her face grew
white.
"And you listened Wouldn't have be-
lieved that, even of you" |" she cried.
"No, didn't listen. 1 didn't need to.
l knew it before" he answered coolly.
"And you will use your knowledgep-
You will bring disgrace and ruin upon him
and me ?"
"lsn't it my duty?-unless l have ny
pay for keeping your secret"
Phebe's lip curled contemptuously.
And your pay ?" she asked, haughtily.
in spite of her terror.
"Can you ask? Don't you know the
one treasure without which the whole world
is valueess to me?" And he took in his. one
of the hands that hung limp and neryeless
at Phebe's side.
go, how can you be so cruelp What
have ever done to you that you should
persecute me SOP cried Phebe pass;on.
ately.
"Cruel to you, Phebe? If you could ON.
ly understand how much more nv love !.
worth to you than Gilbert Drew's how
much happier you must be as my wife !
Why, his is only boys fancy that he will
forget in twelvemonth, while will cher
ish you so tenderly, always, Phebe p
Phebe drew her hand away.
:" will never be your wife," she said
firmly, emboldened by his softened Tone
Surely one who professed to love her e.,
much could never persist in bringing suel,
sorrow upon her as he had threatened
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.