The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-08-04

| the PROOF OF ner lnnOcenCe' bere is Inc
original of those letters, and Sears can
swear to his own writing"
And that wretch preserved the manu-
script !" calculated Robert cit is strange
that villain almost always overreaches
himself"
MIR. James-my guardian-did he do
thatP Oh, hope not-don't believe it,
Catharine-let him go-for my sake-I
loved him so well p'
81 ask no more, Nellie, am content"
"The scoundrel, the black-hearted
scoundrel !" cried Robert. "He ought to
be torn limb from limbp p'
No, Robert, no." pleaded Nellie, che
was kind to me--so very kind"
"Kind You say that of a man who has
blighted your whole life, destroyed your
happiness forever !"
Those passionate words brought back
the reality to every herat A name rose
simultaneously to their lips" William
William %
Nellie hid her face ON Catharine's bos-
ON, while Robert flung himself into a chair
in sudden paroxysm of grief and rage
Catharine raised the bowed head d-ex-
tended her hand to the anguish stricken
youth.
"Bear up, my children-this is sinful
God may at any moment set you free
you would repent this weakness then"
They stood up, sobered and awed that
pallid face rose before Roberts, and he
bent his head in penitential silence.
81 must go to William" said Catharine,
81 have left him too long-come with me,
both-come %
But there is something yet to be DONE"
urged Robert; "my grandfather must be
summoned-it is his decision, Catharine,
which must restore you to your rights"
"And they will disgrace Mr.. James ?
Oh, Catharine, my sister, have mercy p'
"Hush, Nellie, could you think me SO
vindictiveP The story of my shame was
kept secret"
"But against his will" broke in Rob-
ert
"No matter-his treachery and guilt
shall never be revealed--I promise it,
Nellie"
"Bless you, bless your'
"We must 60" urged Robert, Nellie,
you are quite able to make short jour
ney-get ready while order carriage
you and Mrs. Lennox can start in the first
train, and will follow with my old grand
father as soon as possible"
"Oh, Nellie, is it realP" and Catharine
turned again to assure herself by the clasp
Of those loving arms that it was no delu-
sion. "It is indeed you-my darling is
given back to me-"
Catharine-sister Bear with me-
teach me to grow like you--so grand, so re-
signed"
81 like you to praise me, Nellie, it is
very sweet, and the strangest thing is that
it seems so familiar-I cannot realize that
all this dark past has BEEN"
Robert aroused them again, for it was
growing late, and they had no time to
lose.
"These papers-they are safest with
you, Mrs. Lennox; as for the casket, l will
put 1t back in its place. Here is another
paper" he continued, lifting up the casket,
"perhaps this belongs to you Also"
He opened the paper, and they saw
shadow steal over his face as he read.
"Look at this, Mrs. Lennox-poor VIII
liam?''
She looked over his shoulder at the lines
it was certificate Of marriage between
William James and Lucy Sears upon the
back of the paper were some lines in
James own hand, giving the name and the
birth of the child William Scars,
Catharine took the document reverently.
cit win be consolation to him." she
said, in low tone, there has been
doubt upon his soul always, and he had no
courage to question that man."
There was sin somewhere--an added
crime to the catalogue which darkened the
soul Of their foe-but the mother was in
nocent, a welded wife. Doubtless the
certificate had been concealed, aud she had
gone down to her grave unable to leave a
record of her marriage to the child she left
behind.
Robert put the casket away, and closed
the doors Of the old cabinet which had SO
long been the depository of that fatal
secret.
81 will go now" he said "be ready to
start when / return"
He left the sisters together, and they
stole up to Nelles chamber. Catharine's