The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-08-13

h""uo "iOh All ner leeDle strength and
screamed aloud. With fierce oath, the
brute pushed her against the wall and,
raising his arm, struck her senceless to the
floor. In moment more the door of the
captains room flew open and let a flood of
| light stream forth into the hail. Some
thing glittered in the captains hand, and
the burglar had scarcely time to leap for
the stairway before the report of pistol
rang through the house and bullet grazed
his cheek and buried itself in the plaster
ing above.
Leaving Mr.. Mcclure to make his undig
nified escape, the captain stopped over the
prostrate body Of the girl. Raising er head
upon his knee, he recognized her features
with cry of alarm. The inmates of the
mansion, tlocking to the scene in all stages
of dishabille, had been too thoroughly
frightened by the report of the pistol to
notice the captains position.
"There has been an attempt at burg
larry" he said, irf answer to their excited
questions, "and perhaps a murder. Search
the lower part Of the house, some fyou.
Where's Mr.. Marshall Somebody must do
something for this poor child"
Marion, emerging from her room robed
in silken wrapper, was the only individ-
ual of the thoroughly alarmed household
who retained any degree of presence of
mind. Advancing in quiet dignity across
the hall, she stopped with the captain over
the senseless girl, whose brown hair was
falling loosely across his knee. Then she,
too, started back with an exclamation of
surprise.
"Blanche p she cried.
"No, not Blanche, replied the captain,
"bnt Mary Marsh. l know her WELL For
Heavens sake, Marion, have these stupid
| servants bring me some water. fear she
is dying"
"You know her well,'' said Marion slow
ly, without needing his request. "And
know her well-too well. If you enter
tain the regard for me which you have
hitherto professed, you will have her sent
to the nearest police station.''
"To the police station? She?'' said the
captain, in astonshment.
eyes, at once" She stopped and whis-
pered to him iercely before turning away
81 hate her ~
"But Marion" said Captain Burrill,
"the girl is dying. Will none of you help
me?' he asked, turning to the servants.
You will assist him at your peril" she
cried, to one of them who, with terror in
her face, had turned to go down stairs
appeal to the master of this house, Cap
tain Burrill, for confirmation of my orders"
But the captain did not hear her, for the
woman in his arms opened her eyes-those
soft, brown orbs which had gazed into his
so many times beforehand faint, flutter-
ing sigh escaped her pale lips. Raising
her gently, the Captain carried her to his
own room and laid her tenderly upon his
own bed. Then, sitting by her side, he soft
ly clasped her hands until she came slowly
to herself again, and he was able to draw
her head against his shoulder. fran
"My poor child" he whispered, as she
looked into his face with mild terror in
her eyes; "no harm can como to you now.
Don't explain anything. believe in you
still.' i.tHu
"Take me away from this dreadful
house" she exclaimed, trembling with ag-
itation as she became aware of the group
around her. g Let me go, o don't, don't
let my father see me here"
"Your father" said the captain, in
amazement
Yes. You have never known but half
the truth. o, let me 60"
She turned towards the door as she
spoke, and her eyes fell upon the figure of
old Jacob Marshall standing with Marion
on the threshold. With wild cry she
sprang from the bed and fell upon her
knees before them.
"Father sister p
But Marion looked down upon the kneel-
ing, selfabased girl with cold, hard stare,
in which was no feeling of kindness or
charity.
'Never call me by that name again."
she said. Have you not disgraced us
enough already2 One would think the rob
berry of our domestic peace had been enough
without this attempt upon our money too"
"No, nc" cried Blanche, wringing her
hands in the agony Of despair. "I am in
nocent of that. Believe me, I have only
tried to save you. Let me go, will never
trouble you with my presence again, You
shall never sec me, never hear me, hut be-