The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-11-10

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one who had for years been an unrelenting |
prosecutor Of innocence and, as he now
believed, was the cruel author OF the obit-
uary notices, which had rung tears of an
guish from those who had never harmed
her in deed or In thought.
At the sight of the fine equipage, aS it
halted before the Curtis mansion, the
mother and daughters, who were peeping
through the easements, were filed with
curiosity to see the carriage opened.
"Who can it be, motherP"
al don't know--somebody, suppose,
who is ambitious to make our acquaint-
anco. Don't be familiar, girls, till you
find out what they are"
The bell was rung, and the strangers
were pshered into the parlor, where the
ladies' were waiting to receive them with
studied tormality. They were not recog-
nized in the half darkened room till Will
liam accosted Mrs. Curtis and the girls in
his usual manner, and expressed his graft
fication at seeing them after his long alb
sence. A stiff nod, and cool How do
you do, Mary ?" was all the notice accord
ed to her; while the conversation was
directed altogether to the gentleman, with
show of cordiality evidently assumed.
After few moments of ordinary con-
versation, William put on a serious coun-
tennnce, and, addressing himself to all,
said,
Ladies, allow me to introduce you to
my wife, whom you have as yet hardly
noticed.'
They started with surprised, and losing
all sense of decorum, Emily broke into
smothered giggle, Helen, left the room
abruptly, while Mrs, Curtis exclaimed,
"Why, William Belts what fool you
are r.
Fool - said William, with a flash of
instantly suppressed anger /; "did you not
tell me, the last time l saw you, in this
very room, that you approved our attach
ment?"
" Yes" said the deceitful woman, glanc-
ing at Emily, but it was only in compli-
ment. Mary is not competent to fill the
station of wife in polite society, aud you,
who are only a year out of your clerkship,
have no right to marry any body till you
are in better circumstances to support
yourself. You must excuse me, but l al
"I appreciate your frankness," replied
William, "and beg you to extend it furth-
er, and inform me what anxious friend in
the city has been so concerned for our
happiness, as to endeavor to promote it
through the public press"
So saying, be took two newspapers out
of his pocket, and read the notices of his
own and Mary's death.
Il known nothing about that" said
Mrs. Curtis, with n blanched face sit
was doubtless trick of some of your pro-
fiigated companions"
+" No matter" said William, compassion
ately, "we are both alive and well. We
have called this morning Mrs. Curtis to
inquire for Mary's Work. Box, which you
took in keeping for her. She would like it
now, as she has learned how to use it,
Another change of couHtenance came
over the unhappy woman, as she replied,
petnlantly,
~ told Mary, at the time, that had
given it away to friend and where it is
now" she added, with warmth, " / neither
know nor care"
"If you knew where II is, you would
care and il you had known what it con-
tanned, you would sooner have parted with
this fine house than given it away. Your
disposal of IL has proved greater benefit
to Mary than hundred empty boxes
would have been"
"Why? what do you mean?'
al mean that Mary has recovered the
box, and found in it the will of Capt. Cur
tis, bequeathing TO her all his property"
Mrs. Curtis looked at him in blank
amazement for moment, and then ex-
claimed,
al don't believe any such stuff, sir; for
there was no paper in the box when / sold
it,"
"Sold IL ~ said William If you sold it
you ought to have got good price for it,
for you sold with 1t all your right and title
to large estate--for the will was conceal
ed in a secret apartment"
II have not come to distress you," said
William, in a Softened tone, as he saw q
tear Of COMMUNICATION in Mary's eye. "The
property in Mr.. Curtis possession must
change hands and it will be necessary for
you to leave this dwelling in a few days.