The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-09-26

postpone the ride. Some very urgent
business keeps me here. Wait Normandy
can take my place"
''I should be pleased" said he.
avery good, Normandy and remember
that 1 promised her ride such as she never
had before"
ga ride extraordinary, father"
eyes, yes that was it. Do not disap-
point her.
/ "Assurcdly not"
/ While Normandy was drawing on his
greatcoat agentlcman stepped to his side
and spoke to him in a very low tone.
Normandys face blanched whittier than
snow, but he recovered instantly.
"Thank you, Ganson, for this proof of
your friendship, but have known it for
some hours. Please let it rest where it is,
if you can, and will make it all right in
the morning. There is some great mistake"
With buoyancy of manner that surprised
Grace, after what she had seen, he
conducted her to the sleigh, and with a
galantry little expected from one so
practical, he handed her in, arranging the
robes about her more sllillfully than even
her old father could have done.-Then he
took his seat by her side, and off they
went.
Through the crowded streets, through
the less crowded suburbs, out into the
quiet country, Normandy all the while
chatting merrily, startling contrast to his
real feelings. But when once they were
out of the reach of the din of the great city
his manner changed entirely. Turning his
dark, searching eyes full upon his COM
panion's beautiful face, he asked, earnestly,
almost beseeching!y
"Miss Blenchford, can you trust me?"
Surprised and somewhat annoyed, she
hardly knew how to answer. But she saw
that he was in earnest, and in the brief
time, she thought of all her acquaintances,
and not one of them would she trust sooner.
"Why do you ask, Mr.. Normandy"
"If should tell you," said he, "that
those whom you hold most dear, yourself
included, were in great peril, and peril
that you never could guess, and that had
the power to save you all, would you believe
me? Would you trust me? Would you
be guided by me for a brief time ?''
Startled by his manner, and convinced
by his earnestness, she replied as earnestly !;
eyes, Mr. Normandy can and do
trust you. But why do you ask?"
"Do not ask me. 1t will be enough to
tell you that you and your father and
brother are truly in great danger, and if
you will place implicit confidence in me,
can save you. Drop your veil if you please.
Thank YOU"
Almost tenderly he wrapped the robes
around her, yet uttering no word. Then
gathering the reins, he gave the horse a
light cut, and away they went, at a pace
that soon left the city far out of sight
can extraordinary ride, surely" thought
Grace, as they sped over the crisp snow /;
and there was wonder how it would end.
But she felt no fear, no regret that she had
placed herself in his hands.
For hours they rode, he doing all in his
power to entertain her, succeeding so well
that she almost forgot the singular position,
in listening to his brilliant talk and varied
experience. About dark they drew up to
a farmhouse, where Normandy ordered
supper. While it was preparing, he looked
after the comfort of his horse, rubbing him
down with his own hand and feeding him !;
for the ride was not yet over.
"We have four hours yet to ride, said he
to Grace. "Shall VIC 60 on?''
81 trust you, Mr.. Normandy. Let me
help you if can"
"Thank you Thank you, Miss Blench-
ford, he said, gratefully. "Yvu shall not
repent it."
Out in the night they started again.-He
procured additional robes at the farmhouse
and wrapped his fair companion so closely
that she did not feel the biting cold. lie
needed no covering his blood was at
fever height, defying the cold north wind
more effectually than the warmest furs.
On they. drove through the still keen air /;
past farmhouses, over hills, across rivers,
through dense woods and damp valleys,
and yet the end Of that ride was not yet"
Gould it be that John Normandy was
playing false? Did he know that the
officers of the law were searching for him
far and near? That his name and descrip-
tion had been flashed over the wires in all
directions9 That his name was whispered
upon the street as defaulter--a robber /?
That he was already charged with the
abduction Of Jonas Blenchfords fair