The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-09-15

adding tho one just stolen, returned the
bupdle to It's place again. Thon hastily
restoring the box to its former order, she
rose and turned away. 3 M
stepped back pace or two with the
design of seizing her outside the closet.
In moment she appeared and confront
ed me, and for the first time obtained a
fair view of her features. But instead Of
the horror and dismay which / had been
anticipating / was the one to fall aghast
Ny outstretched arms dropped powerless
as with the swift tread and strong gaze,
she swept past me and out of the room.
81" And this is the solution ~ muttered,
drawing deep breath of relief as the door
closed upon her. "What will Madame
sayP Win she readily credit the report l
must gveP"
Without deciding the question dropped
on the sofa and made myself comfortable
for the remainder of the night.
AS on the previous day Madame sought
me early. She looked at me scrutinizing-
ly.
"Ah Monsieur has had another good
night, without the aid of drugs" she re-
marked, somewhat tartly.
eyes, Madame, very good one" re-
piled "but first earned the right" a
"Ah r calculated Madame again but
this time very tremulously. "Thon you
have-you-"
eyes, Madame" l answered, finding
she could not finish the sentence. And now
will you kindly allow me to see Madem-
oiselle De Grayp"
No, Monsieur no r' she replied, with
hasty emphasis. {" My poor Antionette
has sinned, no doubt but she shall be
protected. You shall not see my poor
child, Monsieur" she concluded passion
ately. "Heaven and will make good
woman of her yetr
"My dear Madame, you quite mistake
me-" answered feelingly. "Mademois-
ellie is innocent"
l was hardly prepared for the little
French woman's outburst Of joy.
"My Antionette My pure darling !
My white dove My wronged angel =
Sweet heaven, / thank thee ~ she cried
tearfuly.
And before l could say more, she had
darted from the room. In few minutes
she returned, leading tall, elegant, gold
en-haired girl, whose proud eyes glittered
with tears. This fair beauty left Madame's S
side and came to me.
81 thank you, Monsieur" she said, with
simple earnest dignity. 81 thank you
most truly"
81 have done little or nothing to entitle
me to your thanks, Mademoiselle,"
smiled in response. "But have you no de-
sire to learn the name of the guilty par
typ"
"Ah, true ~ exclaimed Madame. for
got all but my infinite joy. Tell, us, Mon
sieur."
First, Madame, " answered, "permit
me to restore your stolen money. You
have your keys, see will you be kind
enough to open the treasure-box ?"
And fastening to the closet brought
out the japanned box.
Madame knelt down and wonderingly
turned the key. / then lifted the lid and
removed the false bottom.
An astonished exclamation parted Mad
emoiselle De Gray's lips but Madame
leaned over the box like one in dream,
and could not be convinced until the notes
were in her hand and counted, that it was
no dream at all, but most pleasant
reality.
"Yes, Antionette,p 2 she at last said, ris-
ing casting the notes on the table, "every
sou of it is here. And to think of its be-
ing in the old box, Antionette p
eyes" smiled Medemoiselle, with a
puzzled expression, "but---' -
"But, interrupted Madame. even more
vivaciously, but who put it into the box
Yes, that is the point, Monsieur who put
it into the box9"
And she fixed her eyes in eager expec-
fancy on mine.
"The-the apparition, / faltered, Cen
tered the room between two and three
O'Clock, and went straight to the cabinet.
In few minutes the notes were purloined
and deposited where you just now found
them"
"But the secret compartment, Mon
sieur," interrupted Madame, excitedly.-
"was it opened without difficulty 9''
Yes, Madame"
"Strange most stranger' she ejacu-
lated in perplexed tones, adding the next