The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-04-23

g am also informed that suspicious are
entertained that the deceased made alater
disposition of his property. Eh Correctp
Well, well, wen see to that Unless the
testator altered his mind and burned It,
Our departed friend was not a rock in his
intentions. Ha ha More like st. Reuben
than st. Peter; dye take, gentlemen /
must have my little joke" rubbing his
hands. "Come, let's to business. Most
happy TO be associated with the first men,
bers of the Richmond bar" ETC., etc.
"Never mind p l laughed to Brady, who
was chafing up to his usual exploding point;
"we'll have done with him presently |"
going directly to the corner where the box
always had stood.
| 1t was not there.
Let me cut my story short. The box was
gone; neither chamber nor house held IL.
There is no need to tire you with our dis.
may nor rage, nor Shelters triumph hid
den under condoling face. Well, poor
wretch no wonder he rejoiced The agen-
cy falling into his hands was good, fat
living to him. The box was gone.
| Uncle Joe said that the old man had ex-
amined the papers it contained two nights
before his death, and then hid the casket
carefully under the mattrass of the bed;
since then he had not seen it. We resolved
to keep the loss quiet for day or two, un-
til thorough search was made. Mean
while, Brady, in obedience to the power of
attorney held by Shelter, delivered to him
and the administrator named therein the
former will.
81 will grant you, Mr.. Page, said Shol-
ter, condescendingly, ga days grace to
produce the document before proceed to
record the will"
could have gnashed my teeth at the
fellow; but only bowed and answered,
"All right. The document will be forth
coming. do not believe it is burned"
"Therc differ with you, SIR" he said,
with his detestable smirk.
We passed out on the portico. The
house servants crowded about me. "Is it
all safe, Marster PageP" said Uncle Joe,
acting as spokesman. "Who'd we belong
to, marster ?" The old negro's voice was
husky.
"You are sanguine, "Mr. Page" sneer-
ed Shelter. elf the estate becomes the
property of Mr.. Pierse, doubt not these
hands will be transferred to the Georgia
market" .p
Uncle Joe's face grew livid. "De good
Lord help us y he muttered, turning away
| watched Shelter bowling down the
park, whistling as he went. suspected
almost to certainty that he had been en-
ployed by Pierse in Cuba to obtain possess
sion of the box by clandestine means. But
how to prove it? turned with Brady and
entered the drawing-room, where the old
Quaker lady was pacing the floor trying to
look calm. It.
ad" hope, friend John, thee brings good
tidings?" she said, stopping short.
"We will hope Tor the best,' | said, eva
sively. She looked keenly at us; then be-
gan slowly to pin on her shawl and bonnet.
81 must return to Hester" dropping the
subject instantly; though saw her anxious
eyes. f s.
r AS / went out to help her into the old
fashioned coach, she leaned forward out of
the door, her smooth cheels coloring like a
girls Of sixteen. "Friend John, is the
young man, Robert Johns, betrothed to
Hester? ask not for idle curiosity"
/ smiled. "Ihave suspected such a
thing to be possible, Friend Cox" She
looked more anxious. "You do not like
the idea ? lie is a clever boy-generous,
talented" She shook her head.
A noble young man, as God made him:
but as he has made himself--the wine-cup,
thee knows Plat the last, it stingeth like
an adder" was silent. knew the page
in her own story that made her cheek grow
pale now and her gray eyes fill with tears.
-" l think better of Robert" l said. ellis
worst fault is Incidence. Remember the
education the sons of our well-blooded,
poor families receive. Besides, as the hus-
band of Hester Wray, he will have enough
to do to control the plantations. ,
I1a" When he cannot control himself? Oh
friend John, thee had ever week side for
the follies of the young y And the old
lady drove away. h 1 ~
Two days after this late in the evening,
mounted my old hack and rode out to
Friend Cox's plantation. Slowly, reluc-
family; for was the bearer of i'll tidings
A bright fire burned in the library, flashing