The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-02-18

NS"StsAiah"oiVht oiu ohAhibB bOWoidS hio
nephew, he said
"Victor, think she's been ungrateful
to me.'
"Most ungrateful," returned Victor in
a fawning, pharisaic tone. N"Her ingrat-
itude to one so kind and generous as your
self, was to me as unexpected as it was be-
wildering. But, my dear, uncle, you may
yet somewhat relent' towards her for
though young Norcross is unworthy Of your
esteem, yet Isabella may have been de-
ceived."
Deceived 70 exclaimed the old man,
again bursting into passion. "It's me
that's been deceived Most grossly has
she deceived me. No, no, Victor, you can
not palliate her offence. have discarded
her disvowed her. Not penny of my
property shall she ever touch"
Again Victor Waldamear turned away to
hide the glow of exultation that suffused
his countenance.
"Dear uncle" he said, at length, in a
tone SO studied and hypocritical that any
but rage blinded old man might see it,
let me advise you to wait awhile ere you
alter your acm; for though Isabella has
disgraced you by her marriage, as well as
forfeited your kindness by her reckless dis
regard of all your desires-and even though
she has virtually cast herself off by ruth
lessly trampling on your love and solici-
tude, yet"
! Peace, peace, Victor y interrupted the
old man, with increased emotion. "Noth-
ing, nothing shall turn me. / know you
would plead for her, but even with your
pleading, you cannot lose sight of her utter
unworthiness. My decision is made. Here,
take this key and unlock the left depart
ment of that old cabinet"
Victor Waldamear stepped to the old
mans side, aud with trembling hand he
took the key. 1t was placed in the lock,
and the quantity carved door was opened.
"Do you see that deep drawer, with a
small key in its lock ?'' asked the old man,
I" Yes, sir, returned the nephew.
"Open it, Within you will see a parch-
ment tied with blue ribbon, and bearing
a heavy seal. Bring it to me-"
Victor found the document, and he hand
ed it to his uncle then, at an order from
the old man, he rang for servant, who,
when be appeared, was requested to bring
a lighted taper.
Ere long the taper was brought, and
after the sertaht had withdrawn, VanwiclS
tore OFF the seal and ribbon from off the roll
he held, and as he opened it, Victor's eyes
rested upon his uncle's will ! With fea-
lures again set in their firm, iron mould, the
old man raised the parchment to the blaze
of the taper. Tho compact vellum began
to hiss and cracklein the flame, and as it
crisped and rolled in the heat, it fell in char
red masses upon the table. Slowly it burn
ed, but yet line after line of its inky import
became annihilated, and at length the
work of destruction was complete. Old
Vanwick's will was no more.
Thus far had Victor Waldamear tri-
umphed. He had succeeded in poisoning the
old mans mind against his grandchild by
the most subtle arts. He had not dared to
directly attack the name of Isabella, but
he had most basely traduced the fair fame
of Alfred Norcross, and by a continuous
siege of petty thrusts and stabs at the cords
of affection that bound the old man to his
sons daughter, he had at length seen the
estrangement complete. But the game
was not yet won, for without will, Isabella
was the direct lineal heir A new wil
must be made, and to this end, and that he
might be the heir, Victor Waldamear de
termined to set himself at work. He wa,
now Vanwick's sole confident, and he held
no doubt of his success. Already the
broad land and the bright gold of hii
uncle seemed his own, and not a pang o.
remorse reached his heart, as he thought
of the poor, innocent being whom he haC
SO foully wronged out of her birthright.
Isabella was not entirely happy wher
: she turned her steps toward the dwelling
which her husband had procured, nor wal
she really sad. The knowledge that sh,
had been utterly discarded by her grand
father was source of sorrow, for she hat
loved the old man well but the though
that she had husband who loved he
r cheered her on, and when at length sh,
found herself clasped to that husband
} bosom, the clouds were all rolled away, anC
and she smiled in joy. air
"Alfred," said she, here in this hum