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

cepted lover, believing that ere long he
should receive not only the hand but the
heart of his fair cousin, for neither he or
Mrs. Overing knew anything of the much
priced, oft-read note, or the little minia-
ture so carefully concealed among her
treasures.
"Only one day more" said Nora, to
herself, some months LATER when retiring
to her room for the night; "only one day
more, and not line from Oscar And |
have staked my hand, and would willing
ly have stakod my life upon his truth"
A light tap at the door was followed by
the entrance of the maid bringing the
note
"This, Miss Nora, was left by a man
who charged me to deliver it into no
hands but your own"
1t was written in an unknown hand,
and was without signature; simply re.
questing " that on the following day she
would, in company with her cousin Ar
thur, visit the large oak tree near the old
spring, and see the earth on the north
side dug up to the depth of several feet
and warming her, " if she valued her own
happiness not to neglect doing So"
Nora was startled, for she remembered
the note received in the arbor. Might
not this, too, be from OscarW
This is a strange request, Nora. The
old spring has not been used for years,
and the bushes and briars around it are
doubtless so thick as to be almost impen-
etrablc. think you might at least give
me some reason for wishing to visit the
spot"
Well, cousin, if you Will accompany
me to the place, | will give you my rea-
sons as we go along"
Il will go with you certainly" he re-
piled, but Nora fancied that his voice
taltered little. They had walked some
distance in silence before Arthur again
asked an explanation.
Il had dream last night, cousin, that
troubles me greatly, although can trace
it directly to a circumstance which oc-
Cured in the evening. | dreamed that |
saw my dear father standing under the
large oak near the old spring; and look
ing at me sternly, as if demanding that |
should do my duty, he pointed to par
ticular spot beneath the tree. And the
dream has made so great an impression
that | am resolved to have the earth dug
up and the place examined"
Arthur had stopped while he spoke
and though she noticed that he turned
very pale, she urged him on.
" But Nora, it is weak and supersti.
cious to allow dream to disturb you
thus. Let me beg that you will return to
the house at once, and not give this mat
ter another thought"
"No, we will 90 on" she replied,
"As you WILL" said he coldly, at the
same time remembering that they had
brought no implement for digging
though he had seen light spade near
the door, which he supposed Nora had
forgotten.
As they neared the spring he noticed
that the bushes had been beaten down
and path formed, BY which they could
proceed very well.
"Others seemed to have been here be
fore us" he said, glancing at her inquir-
ingly.
"She hoped not" and quickened her
pace.
A sudden turn in the path through the
bushes brought them directly to the tree
where, to the surprise of both, they be-
held man standing, spade in hand, as il
about to commence digging.
Arthur rushed forward, asserting that
. he was the master of the place" and
ordering him "to leave the spot at once y
The man touched his hat politely. Il
am an officer, sir, in the discharge Of my
duty You, | believe, are Mr.. Arthur
Dalton; and if you attempt to leave this
spot, | shall arrest you on suspicion Of
your uncle's murder"
"Upon what are your suspicious bas-
ed ?" stammered Arthur, staggering back.
Upon the testimony Of one John
Moreton, formerly in the employ of Mr..
Overing. You will please stand aside,
sir, and allow me to proceed" ="
Arthur covered his face with his hand.
and leaned against the tree.
Nora, in anazement at what had pass
ed, stood perfectly still. The ground
seemed to reel beneath her, but strong
arm supported and prevented her from
falling, while voice, not difficult to re-
cognize, whispered This is too much
for your strength. Let me take you to
the house"
She only shook her head in answer,
and kept her place, intently watching as
the officer slowly dug up the earth at the
foot of the tree. But nothing was found