The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-02-06

life had cemented a friendship pure and dis
interested; but I believe she could have ac-
complished it if at any time she saw that
my visits forboded evil or unpleasantness to
herself
One morning, while riding along on the
way TO my patients-my practice having
rapidly increased--I was met by u messen-
ger from the hotel, with note. 1t was a
delicate little affair, and the cdr. A. w.
Caldwell" was written plainly and grace
fully. l read:
DEAR DooToR: Father and Mrs. Waite
have been suddenly summoned to c.,
and will not return until afternoon; and
as you have not called recently until almost
evening, was fearful you might not to-
day. Please come 10 me, as soon as possible.
Yours, very truly,
"GRACE."
was quite surprised that she should
have rallied sufficiently to have written at
all and more surprised at the elegance
and accuracy of the chiography. Grace
looked very sweetly, as entered; and there
was actually little crimson to the lip, and
the least shade of rosepink to the cheek, as
she apologized for the first time during
our acquaintance for her deShabiHe.
"Mlss Waite, you are betterp' / ex.
claimed, rapturously, as, taking her tiny
wrist, l discovered that her pulse was
stronger and more regular.
"Yes, doctor, 1 am but please call me
Grace. 1t is high time that formalites ceas-
ed between you and me--and the clear
brown eyes looked kindly into mine, while
7, up to this time heartwhole, surrendered,
foolish as it may seem, the much-boasted
fort to the poor little invalid maiden.
"Well," said I, "Grace, it shall be now
and for ever, if you desire it ~ and my eyes
must have told their precious secret, for,
before was aware, the darling's head, with
its wealth of wavy hair, was reclining on
my shoulder--and-well the mischief was
done--and knew that Grace loved me
and loved Grace.
"Now," said she, still retaining my
hand and patting it unconsciously, "you
see that have improved, let me tell you.
For the last week, all the medicine which
Mrs. Waite has prepared for me I have
managed not to swallow. / have not eaten
an article she has brought me, and this is
the result"
"But what do you mean, Grace"
asked, in bewilderment.
"Draw your own conclusions
| elias she any motive for desiring your
removal?" I asked in horror.
| "Yes, think So, was her reply.
"What can it beP'
"Money. Then, too, she has, ever since
her entrance into our family, systematic
ally hated and abused me-"
But, your father Grace How has he
been able to submit to such conduct ?'
"Deaf, dumb and blind, doctor, to every
thing but her virtues, which she is cunning
enough to keep constantly before him. /
never complained to him, trusting that he
might sometime shake off the spell which
she had thrown around him but that he
never has been able to do. This will be a
terrible blow to him, doctor, to discover the
wife of his bosom a murderess."
"Oh, Grace p was all could say.
at is so, doctor and now desire that
you should make critical analysis of this
MIXTURE which she has prepared for me,
and supposes have taken for the last five
days. Although l have felt better, and
almost able to walk, yet have been shrewd
enough to show no improvement"
After talking the matter over, and de-
Gliding as to the best course to pursue
after pressing the little darling repeatedly
to my heart, and assuring her of my deep
and lasting love, I returned to my Office
and made careful examination of the
fluid found sufficient arsenic to cause
the death Of two healthy adults-had It
been taken as poisons usually are. How
my very sonl revolted at the thought of
this cold-blooded murderess. How to ex-
pose the diabolical plot to the general was
the next thing to be considered but had
promised to call at tho usual hour that
afternoon; so, giving myself to ride slowly,
placed the bottle filled with the Internal
fluid in my pocket and started. ! found,
as expected, the general, whose greeting
was cordial and affectionatc. Madame,
her black eyes glistening triumphantly,
dressed in heavy black silk, with its long
flowing skirt, and sleeves sufficiently loose
to expose the symmetrically shaped arm,
and ornaments rich and costly. | looked
into her handsome face and wondered
Grace rcclned listlessly, as was her won't