The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-01-24

Believing that he would always be !
suspected of the murder Of Mr. Over
ing, if the real criminal was not discov-
cred, Oscar resolved to devote bimself !
entirely to that object. He secretly ques-
toned all the servants on the place, and
learned from one who occupied room
with Moreton, that the night before his
departure, the manner of the old man
had been strange and uneasy, and from
words muttered in his sleep, he was led
to believe that Moreton knew or suspected
who the murderer was.
Upon this clue Oscar acted but for
year the old man secluded himself so
cunningly, and moved so frequently that
it was almost impossible to trace him at
all Discouraged at this, he sought his
old neighborhood, hoping that Moreton
had communicated with some of his fel-
low servants. A nephew had heard from
him few weeks before, and in consider
alton of large bribe disclosed his place
of residence. But an unconquerablc de-
sire to again behold Nora led Oscar to
follow her, and when he reached the
place where he hoped to find Morcton,
the bird had flown, and it was only after
weary months Of search that he at last
found him. lie managed so as to come
upon him suddenly, and when alone, and
they sternly demanded all he knew of
the murder of Mr.. Overing. The old
man declared that he knew nothing of
the matter, but in frightened, uneasy
way that led Oscar to disbelieyc him, and
finally between threats of punishment
and promises of reward he induced him
to go before magiatrate and make
! plain statement of facts.
The afternoon of the murder, Moreton
had taken a small basket and gone into
the woods for the purpose Of getting a
wild vine that Nora wished TO have set
in the garden He had accomplished his
object and was returning, when he saw
through the trees Mr. Overing walking
down path from the opposite side, and
saw Mr. Dalton, who had gone to the city in
the morning, ride up the path from the
opposite direction He dismounted and
entered into conversation with his uncle,
and their tones soon became loud, as if
in dispute.
lie was too far off to hear what was
said, but as he approached could occa-
sionally distinguish the word money !;
and when quite near heard Mr.. Overing
say, /" know that you want it to pay a
gambling debt, and tell you | will not
assist you" Upon which Mr.. Dalton
drew dagger and stabbed his uncle to
the heart. Moreton stopped for mo-
ment, Mortified at what he beheld, then
rushed forward just as Arthur drew back
the bloody knife, who upon seeing the old
man, declared that he would put an end
to his existence also, if he did not get
down upon his knees and swear never to
reveal what he had seen.
Mr.. Dalton then wiped his hand upon
his pocket handkerchief, tore off a
wristband that had became stained with
blood, and emptying the contents of the
old mans basket into a hollow tree,
threw the knife and stained articles into
it, and taking Moreton with him rode to
the old spring, where together they bur-
led the basket beneath the large oak.
Mr.. Dalton then ordered Moreton to
return to the house as if nothing had
happened, form some excuse for leaving
the neghborhood the next day, and to
keep himself carefully concealed until all
search for the murderer was over
IL would have spared you the scene at
the tree, Nora, dear" said Oscar, " but
fearing the basket had been removed, |
wished particularly that you should see
your cousins manner when accused of
the crime"
And, oh, Nora" said Mrs. Overing,
between her sobs, to think that |, who,
was all the time fearing that after my
death you might be induced to marry
your fathers murderer, should have been
blindly hurrying you on to that very
fate"
We will forget all that" said Oscar,
= in the hope that you will now give CON
sent to our speedy union" But before
Mrs. Overing could reply he was sum
mOned from the room, and returned with
a grave face, to inform them that at the
examination before magistrate, Arthur
had acknowledged his guilt and then shot
himself dead with pistol which he car
ried concealed upon his person.
It will of course be taken for granted
that this rash act Of the young man ad-
ded greatly to the distress of his kind
aunt, and in conclusion it is only necessa-
ry to add that long before the June roses
bloomed again, Nora was travelling in a
foreign land, the happy wife of Oscar
| Slower