The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-05-14

wings were fledged.
Long did George Roberts sit by his flick
ering fire before he retired to rest, wonder
ing what might be the tie between his
uncle and the lovely girl-wbat the cause
of the singular hatred evinced toward her
in 80 many trifing things.
His uncle's morning greeting was cor
dial and kindly, seeming to have lost that
disagreeable air of patronage which had 30
grated on his manhood the day before.
After breakfast he accompanied him OH
a ride over the estate; to view the improve
ments, and as they went the old man
skillfuly drew out the particulars of his
nephew's life, his views and feelings, his
plans and hopes.
In the afternoon George accompaniedshis
uncle to little Office adjoining the library,
and saw the tenants come in with their
yearly rents, where the bags of silver and
gold were deposited in an iron chest. In
this were secured the most valuable papers,
and the family jewels. The little room
was strongly protected by bars and bolts,
as it contained other articles of value.
The next day grand dinner and ball
was to be given, to which the gentry of the
county were hidden, and the lower hall was
also to be enlivened with a dance for the
tenants and servants.
Considerable was the excitement there
fore, on this sudden opening of the doors,
and many young belle prepared to enter
its gray, time-honored walls, with curl
riosity awakened by the tales of mother
or aunt.
Virginia kedar, simply dressed in del
icate robe of white muslin, with wreath
of scarlet berries on her silken hair was
the beauty of the whole assemblage, and
many were ths whispers as to her birth
and parentage.
George Roberts became more and more
fascinated with her, and this evening COM
pleted his enthrallment. For the first time
in his life he was in love. Yet, he could
not but notice how his uncle scowled at
him when he danced with her, and his
mind was filled with thousand perplexi-
ties concerning her.
He lay awake till he heard the great hall
clock strike three, his heart too full of
the blissful dreams which come but once
in lifetime, to wish for slumber, happy
visions filtered before his eyes, in which
he and Miss Kedar played prominent part.
Suddenly he heard faint, grating noise
in the silence of the night, although he
could not tell from which direction 1t came,
and listening attentively as it continued, he
softly opened his door, 1t sounded louder
and he perceived that il came from the
library. The chest and it's valuable con-
tents flashed before his mind and without
pausing an instant he stole down stairs.
The noise ceased by the time he reached
the foot of the staircase, but he hastened
to the library as silently as possible. The
door into the Office was ajar, and faint
light perceptible. As George looked
through the crack he saw figure bending
over the chest, examining papers. A slight
exclamation escaped the robber as he took
up pack of letters tied with broad blue
ribbon thrust it into his breast.
Then he rose from his kneeling posture,
put bag ofg gold in each pocket, and as
the light from the dark lantern in his hand
flashed for moment in his face, George
saw deep red scar on his cheek, where
the black maske had slipped one side.
10 fpv at.I l,sa, Ia,
calculating on the suddenness of the attack
TO be able to knock him down, but tripping
on an unseen footstool he fell headlong into
the room, while the robber vaulted through
the window as lightly as a cat.
When George picked himself up there
was no sign of the thief, and while he hesi-
tated moment whether to give chase or
not his uncle, reused with the noise of
his fall, entered the room. He shiyered
when George described the robber, and
still more when the young man picked up
glove on the floor, a small gray glove,
delicately yet singularly perfumed. Grasp
ing it in his hand, the old man groaned
bitterly and paced the floor irresolutely for
time, while his nephew watched him in
amazement. Presently he turned to the
window and refastened it, shaking his head
as he examined the bolts andfound them
all un broken. The thief had evidently had
assistance from the inside of the mansion.
"Don't say anything about it, George"
he said in an anxious tone. . / know
the man; no common thief" and another
groan escaped his lips. "Now go to bed
Ill tell more tomorrow.
With his mind full of this new mystery