The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-01-20


1 may leave her comfort for my absence"
"The sheriff readily assented to this re-
quest and commanding all the self-control
of which he was master, Orlando entered
the cottage.
Mother" said he, az am going to
jamestown, and may not return to-
night but you will not worry about me-
1 shall return ere long"
"And you will not desert me, then P'
"No, no, mother"
The young man turned away, for he dar-
ed not trust himself longer in her sight, and
passing out into the back room, he found
Elpsey.
"Elpsey,' said he, "I am going down
to the settlement, and l may be gone for
some time, and during my absence l would
have you comfort my poor mother all you
can. If she asks after me, tell her am
coming back shortly, and assure her that 1
am safe. Be smiling and cheerful, and do
all you can to ease her mind over its
troubles"
Elpsey looked uneasy and sad when her
young master turned away, and she shook
her head with thoughtful, dubious mo-
tion, for she had not failed to read in his
countenance the fears and misgivings
which he would have hidden from her, but
she asked him no more questions, nor did
she say aught calculated to betray her
thoughts.
Orlando's faithful dogs crouched at his
feet, and it was with much difficulty that
he kept them back, but he at length sue
ceeded, though for long distance he could
hear their piteous winnings at being thus
deprived of their masters company.
"YOu seem to know well my path" he
said to the sheriff, as the latter struck off
into the narrow track that led the way to
his boat-landing.
go, yes" returned the sheriff. 81 had
it minutely described to me before
started"
"By whomP" asked the young hunter.
"By those who accuse you of the mur-
der" answered the sheriff.
"And they were here the day before
yesterday?"
eyes"
Then there is some deep-laid viliauy
in this affair."" uttered Orlando, half to
himself.
He would have said more, but he knew
that he had at present no means of solving
the mystery, and feeling that if he said
too much, his enemies, whoever they were,
might learn of his knowledge, and take
measures to screen themselves behind some
other mode of attack. He determined,
therefore, that he would betray none of the
intelligence that he had gained till he
should again see Chiron, for he had no
doubt that he was both able and willing to
befriend him.
AT the landing barge was in waiting,
which the young hunter was requested to
enter, and ere long he was being rowed
swiftly down the river.
When the barge landed at jamestown,
our hero was at once conveyed to the Office
of the justice, where he found the two men
who had met him at the Indians grave,
and who had appeared as witnesses against
him. Mr.. Roswell BerlSley was the man
who had issued the accusation, and caused
the young mans arrest, and he was present
in the Office when Orlando was brought in.
1t rquired but few moments for Gilman
and Colton-the two witnesses-to tell
their story, and ere long tho prisoner was
committed to answer to the charge of muir
der. He stoutly persisted in his plea of
innocence, but he was coolly informed that
he could enter that plea at his trial.
A half hour later Orlando Chester was
within the walls Of the Jail, and as the
jailer had received injunotions to look well
to his secnrity, he was placed within one
Of the strongest cells. AS the door of the
dungeon was closed upon him, the youth
sank back upon the hard couch and buried
his face in his hands, not caring that the
struggling day beams should fall upon his
misery
An hour, and perhaps more, had passed
away after our hero had been thrust within
the dungeon, when the bolts of his door
were withdrawn, and as the door swung
open, Mr. Roswell Berkeley entered the cell.
Mr.. Berkley was a stoutbuilt, middle-aged
man, Of rather commanding appearance,
but with countenance far from prepos-
sessing-there being a sort Of lurking, mis-
trustful CLEAN in his eyes, which gave to
his whole face an artful, cunning express
sion