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


anxious to be there before Myra, for |
wanted to think quietly as to what L should
do. 1t was horrible secret for woman
to be burdened with, and could not de-
eide what to do with it.. saton my bed
there thinking and still perplexed, gradu-
ally unfastening my ornaments and ball
dress, when Myra's step approached
quietly, and in another instant she enter
ed.
"Then you are not in bed after all,
Ethel" she said throwing herself careless
ly on the sofa, and beginning to tear-oG
her bracelets in her usual impatient fash
ion. "What have you been doing?
Thinking" | said gravely.
thinking and of what? What Cap
tain Tayler was saying with such en-
ireSsment as he took leaveY
"No, Myra, of something more-more"
And then my courage failed me, and [
could say no more; but hurriedly begin
ming to undress, [ threw myself into bed
and drew the curtains, to hide the view
of that beautiful figure in white satin which
still sat by the toilet-table.
Whether | went to sleep | know not !;
if did my dreams must have been vivid
as reality, for | was haunted by the
strange secret | had discovered and at
length, sitting up in bed, l drew back
the curtains. The moonlight was stream
ing into the room, and l could distinctly
see the form Of Myra lying with open
eyes, her face turned toward the open
window.
Some impulse seized me, whether good
or bad l know not, but | sprang up, and
crossed the room in my bare feet, knelt
down by my school-fellow's bed.
Hush, Myra," 1 said, laying my hand
upon her arm; " don't speak, don't move.
| want tell you secret"
" A secretw she said in o frightened
voice
eyes; listen, Down under the Ill
les in your garden, Myra, lie all Mrs.
Furnival's sovereigns."
1t seemed as if [ were speaking in my
sleep; but before me Myra's figure rose
slowly, and with horror that was awful
ly life-like. l shall never forget her
face for moment it worked till it was
all distorted then it calmed down.
How did you find it out" she said
in a whisper.
BY chance" I answered
When?"
This evening"
"And who have you told? Does Mrs.
Furnival know"
" Not vet"
"And you will tell herr"
"Myra, [ must"
She sank back on her pillow and moan
ed and | buried my face in the coverlid
and began to cry quickly, for that moan
was so horrible to hear.
"Why did you do it?' at length
said, clasping hold of the soft white fin
gers and holding them to my cheek
go Myra, Myra why did you do it?
Ct do not know" she answered quick
ly; and then she turned away her face,
and would not speak for all my questions
and sobs.
She lay perfetcly still, with the moon
light playing on her face, now and then
she gasped quickly, and her hands were
clencned, Dut OIner wise sne seemed tC
bear the accusation more quietly far than
| could make it. At length, however
she reused herself, and pushed back hel
auburn hair, pressed her hands tightly tc
her TEMPLES.
You will tell them all tomorrow, ]
suppose, Ethel, and 1 shall be sent tc
prison"
81 don't think Mrs. Furnival will senG
you to prison"
Again we were silent; and then she
said, Ethel, it is very hard to be burden
ed with the sins of ones parents this is
hard world, is it not 7"
had not found it so as yet and ans
wered family, 81 do not know"
Then she laid her hand on my heaC
in quaint old-fashioncd manner, and
said" l am quite sane tonight, Ethe
mind that. When | took that-tha
gold,I was not perhaps; but tonight
am. l keep my secret too-no ont
knows?" And then she lay back, cover
ed herself up with the sheet, and turned
away; and though | knelt by her fo