The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-06-02

man, turning toward Mr.. james; "write
it so that it cannot be misunderstood-as
we value our peace hereafter, let us deal
fairly by that woman"
"And kindly" whispered Mr.. Lennox,
"let no suspicious 60 abroad against her
remember trust in you both ~
Mr.. James added the desired clause, and
when he finished, the hesitation which he
had betrayed was entirely gone. He re-
turned it to the venerable man who was
bending over his chair, and he read it
aloud.
"That is all, can die easy now ~ ex-
claimed Mr. Lennox. "The time may
come-uncle, never forget this--should you
die before then, leave the charge also in
your will to some just man-we do not
know-years hence, perhaps, she will have
it in her power to prove her truth"
The proud old man turned his face
away, even his sternness shaken by the
depth of anguish in that voice.
GAS hope for peace hereafter, "he said,
in tremulous tone, which only added to
the solemnity of his words, "I will carry
out your every desire, and as deal by that
unfortunate woman, may God in his justice
deal by me-"
GA dying mans blessing rest upon
you ~ murmured Mr.. Lennox, stretching
out his hand, which the old man took be-
tween both his own, while the great tears
rolled down his furowed cheeks, and some
murmured words of prayer escaped his lips.
"The witnesses--the signaturew eK-
claimed Mr.. Lennox "Call the doctorsin.
The two men entered softly and stood by
the bedside. The old uncle assisted Mr..
Lennox to rise, and supported him in his
arms.
"This, in your presence, declare to be
my last will and testament" continued the
sick man, "a0d / call upon you both to
witness it,"
Mr.. Morris placed the pen between his
fingers, and supported him while he wrote
his signature in feeble characters, regard
ing it for a moment, then allowing the
quill to fall from his nerveless fingers.
81 can die easy now-uncle, pememberp
"I have promised" returned he, "ant
before my God %
The two witnesses signed the document
aud went out.
Mr.. James took up the paper which con
fided that great fortune to his entire con
trol-folded and laid it aside.
"The ohild," pleaded Mr.. Lennox, "le
me see the child"
The little girl had been brought from
the city the night before, and an attendan
bore her weeping and frightened into th,
chamber-a fair, fragile-lool1ing little crea
ture of eight years, and appearing evel
younger, with her hair like pale floss sill
falling over her neck, and her violet eye
dilating with grief and fear.
"Papa Lennox," she sSbbed, "pap,
Lennox p'
Mr.. MOx'is seated her on the bed, ant
she twined her arms about the neck of tn
sick man and lay sobbing upon his breast
while he laid his hand softly ON her fore
head murmuring blessing.
" I can't find sister," she Whispered
"and they won't tell me where she is gon
Il want sister"
He drew her face toward his, strugglin,
to repress the emotions that sent the grea
drops in Geld rain over his forehead.
"She had better be taken away" sug
gested the lawyer, "she only disturb
him"
"Let her stay for moment longer
cannot lose you yet, my little girl"
care yougoing away too@' exclaime,
the child; care You going to leave Nelli
as sister hasP Don't go papa Iennox, dom
leave ne all alone !"
The old man shook with the grief h,
could not repEess.
The nurse aud the physicians turne,
away, unable, Injured as they were to scene
of suffering, to look upon that dying mai
and the helpless child without emotion
but Mr.. James stood there, erect and calm
never once stirring, or with shade o
sOftness visible in his features.
"Papa is dying" murmured the sicl
man, "poor little Nellie -
"Dyingg repeated the child, wonder
ingly; "dying? shan't see you an!
more9 Oh, don't die, don't die, papa Len
nox p
"Nellie will have another fiiend--''
"No, no, want you and sister, can
have anybody else Do let me have sister
why don't she come here--oh, is she dea,
too ?"