The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-07-28
NO. 80.

1t seemed to be locked ALSO for the
spring did not yield to her hand, and she
made no effort to open it. Around the
front edge of the lid were several curiously
cut ornaments, and she stopped to observe
more closely the workmanship, passing her
hand over each in succession. AS her
fingers touched the centre-p piece the lid
flew open with a sound which startled her.
giving to view a roll of manuscript that
seemed to have lain there for long time.
She remembered then that she had no
right to examine those things, and was
about closing the lid when the door open
ed suddenly, and woman entered the
apartment. Nellie gave little nervous
cry, for sickness had rendered her timid,
but before she could recover from her as
tonishment, the stranger had crossed the
room, and throwing back the heavy veil,
revealed to her the features of her sister
Catharine.
The girl looked round, as if for help,
feeling no anger, only a vague terror and
desire to escape her presence.
What do you wish?" gasped the
frightened girl "you can have nothing to
say to me-let me pass"
"Nothing to say to you Oh, Nellie, am
l not your sister ?"
"Don't speak that name, don't p' she
returned, shivering from head to foot.
"What, NellieP'
81 can't explain-I hardly understand
1 could forget weakness, sin; but oh,
Catharine, he was my husband, and you
my sisterp'
" My name, you have spoken my name
bless you, heaven bless you Listen Nellie,
l tell you that there is no guilt in my
heart, nor in my life."
"But saw-you were there-it was his
room-you had come from Europe with
him p she uttered these words in broken
gasps, supporting herself against the table,
for there was sudden mist before her
sight which was like the faintness of death.
1T was true that you saw me, but did
not come from Europe with him-I had
not met him for year 1 knew that he
was sick, and hurried back to this place
that l might see him before he died."
"You love him?" Nellie exclaimed
"you love him ?''
"Id did love him when l had the right,
there is no feeling in my heart now for
which need blush, nor you condemn p
"And he loved you-why did he marry
me? tell you it was wicked, terrible p
cit was that mans work too Nellie, he
wished to complete his revenge on me. He
told William that he had spent your for
tune, and called upon him to marry you lest
it should be discovered"
" But why did Mr.. Sears consent-it was
SO wicked?"
"Because that man was his father, could
he refuse to save him ?''
"Nellie slid slowly to the floor, sitting
there with her face hidden, rocking to and
fro gasping for breath.
"Do you believe me, Nellie P-will you
trust meP am your sister-I love you SO
fondly When they drove me away, home
less and friendless, 1 went searching for
you afar in a foreign land-then they told
me you were dead, and was all alone in
the world Father-mother-and my lit
tie sister-all dead, and 1 left without
friend. Oh, Nellie, Nellie, do trust and
believe me.
Nellie half rose from the floor, extended
her arms, and Catharine sank into them
with burst of weeping, which eased her
heart as nothing had done for years.
Neither spoke for many moments, there
they knelt locked in each others arms,
murmured thanksgiving upon the lips of
the older.
The girl nestled close to her bosom like
young bird, murmuring through her tears
"I know your voice now-I know your
voice p
Sand you trust me9'
"Feel my heart beat, Catharine, every
pulse throbs in witness to your truth"
"And we shall part no more9"
mo more, never more Mr.. James will
consent, oh, know he will"
"oh, heaven, had forgotten him
Come away, sister, come away, he will tear
you from me-make haste, oh, come p
1t was Neliie's turn to comfort her, and
to calm her agitation.
"I tell you, Catharine, there is no pow
or strong enough to separate my heart
from yours p
"But that man--oh, Nellie, you do not
know him p
81 hope not-oh, I hope you are deceive
ed Catharine have loved him so long,
trusted him SO entirely" Concluded next