The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-07

] nere.
" must stay then. But have not yet
learned your name. Il was strange provi-
dence that led me to speak to you"
Tom drew card from his pocket book
wrote upon it the name "Thomas Red
burn" and handed it to Mr.. Goldbrook,
who looked at it attentively, and exclaim-
ed:
Redburn why, that was my wife's
name,"
"Indeed," said Tom ga curious coin
cidence. We may perhaps trace relation
ship"
81 should think so, only that my wife
had no near relatives of that name living.
However, we will inquire into it by-and-by.
must now go and give Alice the informa-
tion have gained from you. will see you
again before you leave?"
"Certainly. will be in the hotel much
of the time until go to the boat"
When Mr.. Goldbrook had left him, Tom
Redburn lighted another cigar, crossed his
legs, folded his arms, and stared fixedly at
dark spot in the wall opposite, as if he
expected some strange thing to show itself
at that precise point. He watched it until
he had smoked his cigar out, but nothing
unusual appeared. Then he arose to his
feet stamped twice or thrice on the floor,
said to himself in an audible voice, " yes,
l am right" and prepared to go out.
Just then Mr.. Goldbrook returned to him
and said
"My daughter wishes to see you, Mr..
Redbun. Will you accompany me to the
ladies' parlor?"
Tom readily assented. He desired the
interview, although he dreaded it; his
habitual GOODNESS had so well-nigh deserted
him while conversing with the father, how
should he maintain his self-possession in
the presence of the daughter, if she was the
elegant and accomplished lady he had pic
tured to himself?" He found her all he
had imagined, and more but her selfpos-
session was so perfect that he found less
difficulty than he had feared in retaining
his own.
Briefly and modestly she thanked him
for the interest he had taken in the object
of her and her fathers quest, and then pro-
ceeded to ask him two awkward questions
"From what my father has told me, l
am satisfied that your sudden return to
Morrison Flat is prompted solely by what
he told you of our object. 1t is not so"
at is" he replied, after some hesita-
ton.
"Then pardon me for asking you what
induces you to sacrifice your pleasure and
convenience, perhaps your business con-
Germs, to the interests of persons who are
entire strangers to you? Such sacrifices
are not made without a motive"
"Pardon me, Miss Goldbrook if do not
fully answer you now. assure you am
not altogether dsinterested, but my motive
is not mean one. Trust me, and you
will not regret it."
81 will trust you. How soon shall we
expect news from you of Thomas-and of
Walter ?'
z~Of Walter in ten days at furthest of
Thomas in perhaps a fortnight-perhaps
longer. California is a large State to hunt
over for lost man."
She gave him her hand at parting. He
could not desist the temtation to press
kiss upon it, and when he found his rude
ness was not very severely rebuked he was
sorry it had not been her lips. Tom Red
burn was an impudent fellow.
Early in the afternoon of the second day
afterwards, the stage dropped Tom Red
burn at the door of his own establishment
in Morrison Flat. 1t was large two-Story
brick building, the lower part of which was
occupied by liquor saloon containing two
billiard tables, and large room in which
were number of tables laden with the
devices appurtenant to faro, spanish monte
rouge-et-noir, roulette. and all other diver
sions adapted to the slucidation Of the
great first principle of gaming that "The
more you put down the less you take up"
The upper part of the building was divided
into number of small rooms, for the ac-
commodation of short-card players, and for
dormitories.
Tom scarcely noticed the surprise occa-
soned by his sudden return, but hurried
through the liquor saloon into the gambling
room, then returned and inquired of bar
keeper:
"Have you seen Walter Leighton to-
dayp"
"No," was the reply "he has not been
here for four or five days. guess he's
II