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


hair tenderly, "you ought to know the
truth 1t is too late to call in medical Skill
This attack is likely to prove fatal, though
may linger for weeks yet I wanted to
tell you ofthis myself thought you would
bear it better"
She uttered cry of despair clinging
convulsively to his neck, and calculating
"Not that o, don't tell me you are
going to die ~
He tried to soothe her. "Don't or;eve
Dote," he said presently. at troubles me
to see your tears. Besides, 1 want YOU to
attend to what have to say.
have been hiding a strange secret from
you. Now answer me one question. You
will forgive me for it, when am dead, no
matter what may have been the nature of
that secret?'
He looked at her in an agony of sus
pense.
eyes, yes" she sobbed, anxious to re-
assure him.
He then made sign for Phil to come
nearer.
"Promise me that you will always be
faithful to Dote," he cried, eagerly. "That
you will stand by her in every trouble and
affiiction-that you will teach her to love
and cherish my memory even in the face of
facts that may distress and perplex you."
Phil knelt beside her.
81 promise. May God help me to keep
my oath" he said solemnly.
Throughout this scene Miss Wyndham
had stood leaning against the wall, very
white, her lips trembling. She now came
gliding toward the three, and threw herself
on the cushions at Father Grayson's feet
like person in the very abandonment of
grief
"Go"' she cried, pushing both Dote and
Phil away. "This is my place. 1 have
something to say to Father Greyson.
Gop'
Even the old man seemed surprised, but
she spoke in a tone of such fierce command
that nobody thought of refusing obedience.
Dote laid her hand in Phil's and the two
went away together.
81 don't understand Honoria," whisper
ed Dote, in momentary distrust of her
friend. "What does she mean by such
unaccountable conduct?"
But Phil was equally puzzled. "This
is not the first time Father Greyson has
limited of some secret that directly concerns
you," he finally returned. "Perhaps Miss
Wyndham has become possessed of that
secret, and wishes to discuss it with him. "
Dote was not wholly convinced of this.
I" 1t may be-" she said, doubtingly.
That was an anxious day for the whole
household. Father Greyson was subject to
these sudden attacks, but this seemed more
than usually severe. Honoria remained
with him most of the time. Her devotion
to the invalid was singular,to to say the least.
She would not suffer even Dote to take her
place, and seemed jealous of the presence
ola third person.
Phil watched her rather curiously. "She
does know the secret that distresses Father
Greyson so unaccountably, and for some
| Pui PooO vi iiCi oWh lS dVcrS6 10 ndVlnp III
revealed" was, the conclusion at which he
arrived.
Contrary to all expectations, Father
Greyson rallied, and was much better the
next morning, appearing to gradually i'm
prove throughout the day. Towards even
ing he fell into quiet slumber and was
left in charge of the nurse Dote, Honoria
and Phil collecting in the back parlor.
where Arthur Clayton soon joined them.
Of course they spoke of the sick man,
upon which Mr.. Clayton manifested a sin.
gular interest in the subject, and an extreme
reluctance to suffer it to drop.
A." Your adopted father is reputed to be
very wealthy?" he finally said, addressing
the remark to Phil
Yes" replied the young man, curtly.
Miss Wyndham was standing by the
piano, sorting some music. Her back was
towards them but looking in that direction