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

- sbreeI, bne Jurueu HeE bVepS dS bno
had often done before, so as to pass by the
pawn-brokers shop, for the empty salts
faction Of glimpse at the window which
had once given her so much delight. She
passed it, but her heart was not heavy as
usual, and something seemed to lift her
above her sorrows, and breathe sweet prom
Use to her pensive spirit. Was it the
bright sunshine and the balmy air? 1t
might have been-but whatever it was,
she felt, this morning, for the first time
for many months, truly cheerful hope.
Arrived at the beautiful mansion of Mrs.
Rand, she delivered her package and was
resting herself in luxurious chair, while
that lady was examining and compliment
ing the beautiful work which had cost
Mary fortnight's hard labor,
With an air of great satisfaction, Mrs.
Rand turned to her and said,
81 was to give you five dollars for this, ]
believe?"
"That was the price agreed on" replied
Mary.
1t is worth more" said the good lady
blldu give JOu bOh Oidldg buO hNAuCu,
turning to bright-eyed little daughter,
"I believe my purse is in the work-box in
the ether room go and bring it."
AS Clara re-appeared, Mary uttered
sharp cry, and sprang toward her, snatch
ing from her hands her own beautiful
Ebony Box, and clasping it to her breast,
cried in delirium Of joy,
"It is mine it is mine never will
lose sight of it again ~
Mrs. Rand gazed at her in surprise and
alarm, for moment - then taking her
gently by the hand, led her to a chair, and
begged to know the cause of her excite
ment.
Mary rapidly related to her the story Of
the box, to which Mrs. Rand listened In
silence with an occasional tear. After she
ceased, the good lady made no reply, but
rose, took the box, and emptying out its
contents, placed it in Mary's hands, saying,
with an affectionate tone,
"My dear child, it is yours; and although
gave poor woman forty dollars for it, /
have no right to it now Take it Mary
could not sleep in peace again if 1 should
retain it, or take pay for it."
Opening her purse, she took out a ten
dollar note, and adding half eagle to it,
obliged Mary to accept the whole despite
her remonstrances.
Bidding her skind patroness grateful
good morning, Mary stepped into the street
and hastened with nervous joy to an
nounce her good fortune to her sympa-
thetic aunt. She had proceeded but few
rods, and was rapidly turning a corner,
when she met gentleman, who instantly
raised both hands as if in fright-turned
CHASTITY pale, and then caught her to his
heart. At the moment of his approach she
recognized him as William Belts, and sank
senseless in his arms, 1t was to them like
the meeting of each others ghosts; and
the pallor of their faces was enough to
make the passers-by think the same. He
carried her to the nearest door, and with
some difficulty succeeded in bringing her
to life. AS soon as signs of consciousness
appeared, he left her to call carriage
and as he returned, and was lifting her in,
she all at once missed her box, and had no
recollection what had become of it. Look
ing round in alarm, she saw ragged boy
approaching with it in his hands, saying,
"Here, woman, is something you drop
ped when you fell downp'
She caught it from him, and, in her
gratitude, threw back to him her half
eagle, with a thousand thanks.
At her request, William drove her to
aunt Rachel's and that good lady was de-
lighted and surprised almost out of pro
priety at the narrative of the mornings
adventures, so marvellous, and so fraught
with happiness. After an Interchange
Of histories and sentiments of un-
diminished devotion to each other to
which, in the turbulence of their joy, the
presence of amt Rachel offered no check,
Mary's eye fell upon her box, almost for
gotten again. She jumped up and took it
into another room by herself, to examine
its secret apartment, about which she had
thought so much by day, and dreamed SO
much by night, and which was still unex-
plored. ~, rafl
As she was about to press the mysteri-
GUS knobs, she hesitated, with a kind of
awe, as the recollection of the last inter
view with her good uncle rushed into her
mind. II seemed like invading the repose
of the dead. Then she was filed with
alarm lest some Of the strange hands
thrOu0h which thu fraoottra had ,,oaaad