The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-06-27

tale. l sent the children all away, and
then turning to Miss Porson, said, "You
were at Mr.. Barking's shop yesterday, Miss
Person, were you mott P''
eyes" she replied, with look of sur
prise, "I was.
"Will you tell me what you bought,
and what you paid ?" asked.
81 bought several yards of pink muslin,
for which paid four dollars"
My wife and Mrs. Tenrhyn looked be-
wildered.
"What money did you give Mr.. Bark
ingP"
81 gave him twenty dollar note, and he
returned me the change"
"Would you mind telling me from where
you had that note P' asked, quietly, for
something in the sweet pale face and clear
eyes smote me with strange pain.
"It was my own, Mr.. Ferne," she re-
piled "I have had it for some weeks
Why? Is there something wrong about
it?,'
"You see," said, placing it before her,
alt is one of Emily's stolen notes.-the very
twenty dollar note described in the bill"
A startled scream broke from my wife.
Mrs. Tenrhyn seized the note.
at is ~ she said. /" 1t is mine -
My eyes were riveted on Miss Porson's S
face. I never saw look so ghastly or SO
strange as she wore then.
~ am lost !" she said. "I am bewilder-
ed. never saw Mrs. Tenrhyn's money.
could not have her note. / never saw
it."
"There may be some mistake" said
"Tell me from whom you had that note,
and all will be we'll"
The pale lips grew paler. She threw up
her arms as I have seen men do when about
to die.
For some moments there was dead ST.
lence. Then Mrs. Tenrhyn went up to her
and said, "Tell us, Miss Person. Where
did you get that note from?''
"I cannot ~ came at last hoarsely from
the quivering lips.
"You mean will not, )" continued Emily,
in clear voice. "You who have been
loved and trusted by us, one and all, if you
can clear yourself, and say from whence
that note came, do so. If not, the shame
be upon your own head"
There was no answer.
"Speak, Miss Person." I said. "Clear
yourself, if you can"
"I cannot" she said, looking at me with
sad, despairing eyes.
I saw Emily was growing angry.
"Will you tell me, Miss Person." she
said, "what became of my bracelet care
nothing for the money. Restore me that,
and you may go free and unpublished"
"Do you believe me guilty, Mrs. Ten
rhyn?" she cried. "Do you believe 1 stole
your things?"
81 do" said Mrs. Tenrhyn, looking
scornfully at her. GLOW else can ex-
plain that note ? l would have given it all, "
she added, passionately, "twenty times
over, rather than have known you guilty
of such crime"
"She clasped her hands in dumb despair.
"In one word, Miss Person." said,
"tell us honestly, without fear of punish
ment : Did you take the money and brace
let?" f
Her lips moved as though she would say
"NO;" but could not hear the sound.
"For the last time" said I, "I ask you,
will you tell me from whom you had the
note?"
81 cannot ~ she gasped at last. "Pun-
ish me, do with me what you will. l will
say no more. Death would be only kind
ness. Can you give me that ?'
"Come from her, Laura p cried Mrs.
Tenrhyn, seizing my wife by the arm.
"That woman is hypocrite as well as a
thief. She will not speak let her have
the measure of her SIM"
They went and left me with her. spoke
kindly to her. used reason, threats, ar
guments, but all in vain she would neith-
or clear nor accuse herself.
dismissed Mr.. Barking, returning him
the twenty dollars he would otherwise have
lost, and then sought Laura and Emily. !
found my wife in the deepest distress she
was truly attached to Miss Person, and like
myself, was quite overwhelmed by the
shock. Emily was grieved and angry by
turns.
After long debate we arranged our sad
business. have liked Mrs. Tenrhyn bet
ter from that moment. She turned to me
and said, in voice full of emotion, "Miss