The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-11-03

fortune failed, and her income was reduced
in consequence to one-eight of what it had
been. How were they to live now? They
had never had too much, and that which
was left them was mere pittance. Poor
Edith Nobly she bore her burden, brave
ly she endured her trials, and many ono
who saw her with calm brow and firm
heart steadily performing her daily duties,
wondered at her insensibility, while a few,
who understood her better, breathed an
earnest prayer that she might be able to
prove her right to the estate she claimed.
Meanwhile Mr.. James Harding was not
inactive on the contrary, he exerted him
self continually to find proofs that Rich
ard Harding had never married, and he so
often called Edith an impostor, deceiver,
that many believed his report and some
! even among her own acquaintances began
to look coldly upon her.
The affair remained in this state for
many months, when Robert Elliot happen
ed to visit in that vicinity, and while walk
ing with friend in Boston, he chanced to
meet Edith. The face attracted his atten-
tion, and finally he said to his friend,
"The young lady we have just passed,
puts me strongly in mind of strange in
cident that happened the night before my
uncle died." And then he briefly related
the circumstances already recorded regard
ing the mysterious marriage.
Burton, who had been intently listening
to his friends words, now exclaimed,
"Why, Elliot, the fates have sent you
here just in time, and 1 will henceforth
believe in presentiments and special provi-
dences as devoutly as yourself or Grant
Thorburn. 1t was only yesterday / heard
Weston say his father would give his right
arm to find Miss Ormonds marriage GER
tificate, or one credible witness of the mar
riage for which it seems he has been seek
ing these five years.
"Where is Mr.. WestonP Can 1 see him
immediately" said Elliot, excited beyond
control by Burton's account.
"We will go directly to his rooms, for
he is now in the city," replied Burton and
a few minutes walk brought them to MIR.
Weston's door, and few more sufficed to
acquaint the lawyer with their errand.
Having listened eagerly to the story, he
asked Elliot, rather peremptorily,
"Are you willing to appear, in court
next week and repeat this story on oath
and can you tell me where the sexton you
speak of may be found? and above all
things can you produce that certifeate9"
Elliot gave the little lawyer the sections
address, promised to attend the court at
the appointed time, and then said,
"I cannot tell any thing of the certif-
cate remember my uncle's telling me
to place it his prayer-book, and that /
must record it on the morrow before
morning he was a corpse, and SO over
whelmed by my first sorrow that have no
distinct recollection of any thing that oc-
Cured until after left Merton"
"But his books" said Mr.. Weston,
"what became of his books?"
ellis library was not extensive; and
when left the re ctory l placed all the
books, carefully packed, with friend, and
they have remained unopened, undoubtedly
until now."'
"By your good leave, sir, they will re-
main no longer unopened, for we will send
suitable persons to search them, and may
hap this long-missing certificate, on which
80 much depends, will be brought to
light"
Elliot assented of course, for why should
he refuse?
The result Of the search was the discov-
cry Of the certificate, which was the only
evidence required to convince Mr.. Weston
that Edith was the person to whom the
fortune rightfully belonged. Before con-
Guiding this narrative, perhaps, should
state that it was only about six months
after the discovery Of the certificate, that
Robert Elliot induced Edith to again go
through the marriage ceremony, but this
time it was not ga secret marriage"
Burning q Corpse