The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-07-12


her, and entered the house.
The morning subsequent to the funer-
al, Arthur Clayton and Honoria held "a
long, and what seemed stormy inter-
view in the library. The doors were care
fully closed, but loud and angry voices
were heard issuing from thence, more
than once. Mr.. Clayton finally came out
looking cowed and sullen.
"The idiot She holds the reins in
her own hands, and thinks to ride over
me with impunity" he was heard to
muttcr, as he strobe across the hail.
Passing out he mounted his horse, a
fiery, untamed creature, and went dashing
down the avenue at frightful pace. His
actions were those of mailman, or one
driven nearly to desperation.
Two hours later, messenger drove up
to the Hall, calling for Phil, Dote and
Honoria.
"Mr. Green has sent for you," he said,
There is business of importance to
transact, and l am to take you directly to
his office"
Honoria made some demur at first, but
finally consented to go, and the whole
party was soon en- route for the village.
The ride was silent one. Mr.. Green
met them at the door his face very grave.
Il have sad news to tell you," he said,
taking Honoria's hand {" A terrible ac-
cident occurred. While returning from
the hall this morning, Mr.. Clayton was
thrown from his horse upon pile of
stone and nearly killed"
Honoria become ghastly pale, and
screamed out in sudden terror.
" 1t is the hand of fate she cried.
"He has confession to make" persist
ed the lawyer, relentless, like his kind.
"Mercy! mercyg"
The blow was sudden, crushing, unex-
pected. 1t found her at disadvantage.
Some awful fear seemed to confront her,
and reluctantly she allowed herself to be
led into the office.
Arthur Clayton lay nearly dead on the
couch and was only barely able to whis-
per his confession, which was of the FOL
lowing purport:
1t was he who had given Father Grey
son the chloroform, and he who had per-
sonated him in the marriage ceremony,
which was easily done, as neither of them
were personally known to the Clergyman.
Honoria and himself had long been
lovers and had mutually agreed upon the
plan, promising to share the proceeds Of
the enterprise. Honoria, by means of a
mask and light drapery, had represented
the ghost; her object being to obtain the
letter written by Father Greyson, before
it had been seen by Dote. The secret re-
vealed in that letter was, that Dote was
his own lawful child, by an early mar
riage, which circumstances had compelled
him to keep concealed until after the
death of his wife,
This secret had long been known to
Honoria, and she was anxious to kesp it
from Dote, as the knowledge of that fact
would interfere with their plan. The
will had been stolen by her and was de-
stroyed. When in spite of all her efforts,
the letter had been conveyed to Dote she,
had given her patient sufficient chloro-
form to stupify him, had crept along to
Dote's room, as has already been stated.
During her absence Clayton entered the
room occupied by the invalid, and had
given more chloroform which had pro-
duced his death, intending to put him be-
yond the power of making further disclo-
sures. When Honoria returned from the
visit to Dotes chamber, he had admins
tered the drug to her to prevent suspi-
cion from pointing in that direction
Their plans worked well, but during the
interview that morning, quarrel regard
ing the disposition of the property arose
between them, and he had left, reckless
and desperate. A moment or so after he
had furnished his confession, he was be-
yond the reach of mans vengeance.
Honoria was glad to be allowed to go
away without punishment, for her share
in the work Of that night, and Phil. and
Dote both felt that in her defeat she had
already been sufficiently humbled.
The after events, our readers can easily
imagine for themselves, and if any
of them should ever visit g Bunker Hill" ,"
Mr.. Phil. Merideth and his pretty wife