The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-03-25

thought he must be intoxicated; it was the
only explanation for such ungentlcmanly
conduct.
"Wait, Cecil % And he laid an imperi-
GUS hand on her arm. "I have warning
to give you. You are very happy, perhaps
in feeling that handsome, courtly Percie
Lennox has asked for your hand. It's just
possible that Commodore Dare may not
appreciate the honor quite as highly when
he finds that his son-in-law in prospective
is a forger ~
Cecil turned suddenly-her face lit with
passion, her delicate features quivering
with disdain. "Go, sir ! 1t is unneces-
sary to add slander and falsehood to your
lordly and chvalrous manner of asking
favors."
"My poor Cecil" he said, passing from
imperiousness to an affectation of pity that
was doubly CALLING, sit is hard to believe
that so gallant 'Hotspur' would stoop to
such an action-the aristocratic Lennox
place himself on par with John Jones.the
common felon. But always bring proofs
in cases of this sort; do you know that
hand and crest?"
Cecil took the papers he held towards
her. One was French draft for six thou
sand francs, and signed "Jasper Harold;"
the other, note of six lines, with the we'll
known "H. Percie Lennox" as signature,
and on the seal the lion rampant, the un-
mistakable Lennox crest. She read the
note over twice.
"MY DEAR CLIvE,-God knows, thank
you and your uncle for your mercy can
trust to your generosity to destroy the fa-
tai check, and enclose herewith my own,
for the balance due you. IL my American
draft had come one steamer earlier / should
never have been tempted to commit the
crime"
Even then the trusting, brave girl refused
to entertain so monstrous charge against
her lover. Cecil thrust the papers into
Harold's hand with gesture that was al
most queenly.
Your storyP" she said briefly.
Not very long one," he said, care
lessly. "We were abroad together, two
years ago, you know, and Lennox lived
en- prince in Paris for six months. That
was nothing, but he gambled atrociously.
My uncle, who lived in Paris at that time,
was in the habit of receiving Percie's
American drafts, which Mrs. Lennox sent
subject to Jasper Harold's endorsement.
One evening Percie lost at the gaming
table seven thousand francs to young
French due, and having but thousand in
his notebook, came to my uncle for the
balance. We were aware of Lennox's ex.
cesses, and by my advice Uncle Jasper re-
fused to advance such a sum until he re.
ceived advices from America. Lennox
flung himself out of the house in one Of
his furious RACES, and two days after, my
uncle's banker sent him that precious BIT
of paper had the honor of giving you.
There was some slight irregularity in it
which induced them to bring it for inspec
tion. Uncle Jasper passed the check ant
paid the amount, and when called OF
Lennox he admitted, with great appearance
of penitence, that he had drawn the forged
check. He sent me the note afterward
foolish boy, with the money for my uncle.
Harold paused; Cecil sat motionless anC
pallid as marble.
And now you will ask me, doubtless
why take the tbankless task of making
myself his accuser by reviving the scandal
am slow to form a determination, bu
when once formed, you might as well TT.
to stop yonder foaming breaker with you
slender hand as to stem my will. Tha
fair-haired boy has crossed my path, ant
won the love Of the only woman ever de
sired to possess; but, by heavens ! he shal
cross me no more. Accept my offer, Cecil
and / will tear up these evidences of gull
and throw them into the ocean; refuse m
and I'll blast his reputation forever
makes little difference that the sin wa
condoned-that he committed it will
enough to stain the naughty Lenno
name." 1.nrir ira 2uitf a9
4 "Have You no pity ?" she said, in fair
agonized whisper. N't W
= "Not where winning you is concerned
/ my queenly, beautiful Cecil p
. She drew her hand away from him as
0 the touch stung her; not for herself woul
she ask mercy at his hands, but Percie-
her own young loyerL m,gg 81 .,s.s
< '"What harm has no ever done you
4 Spare him this, and ASH Of .me--what yo
i will?p ~ iisr, sf, ~. 6r,f
q The last words were almost inaudibl'
> With gesture of exultation Harold bel