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

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Mary was not long in finding the poison
ed arrow which was to transfix her heart ;
it was the following sentence
"Died, in No, Mr.. William Belts,
of the firm of Stuart & Co., of this city, aged
| twenty-one."
The poor girl stood aghast, for a mo-
ment, bewildered as If struck by bolt
from heaven and then sinking into chair,
leaned her head a long time upon it,
thoughtful and fearless, as if bereft of her
senses. But He who watcheth over his
beloved sent his angels to minister to her,
and from that depth of affliction she rose
to sublimer height of faith and resigna-
tion. She cannot weep now, but tears will
come by-apd-by-not of despair, but the
irrepressible tribute of widowed love.
Months passed away, and in the company
Of her excellent aunt, and in the midst of
industrious labor, Mary was as happy as
heart could be with SO many unhealed
wounds. She ceased to look to the future,
and sought happiness in the discharge of
present duty; and in the contemplation of
the past, whose vista, though dark and
gloomy, was still dotted here and there
with the shining monuments of departed
joys.
One day, as she was walking the street
on her way to deliver some finished work,
she came to shop, the windows of which
being filled with great variety of snowy
articles, attracted her eye, and for mo-
ment arrested her steps. While looking,
she started, uttered faint scream, and
stood as if petrified.
at is ! it is p she murmured, cit is my
own dear box p and then Fastening into
the shop, she asked with trembling eager
ness,
"Is that box for sale, sirP"
Yes-why-no, not exactly" drawled
rough-looking man, whose curiosity
seemed excited by Mary's earnestness.
"May l ask you where you got it?"
ga woman brought it here yesterday,
and pawned it till Saturday but she will
redeem it, 'spect, as it is worth good
deal more than the money lent on it. If
she doesn't claim it, there are two or three
others that have already spoken for it
and the highest bidder will get it. A
lady offered me twenty dollars for it this
morning"
So saying, he laid it before Mary exhib-
tied its beauties, and expatiated on its
value. Oh, how Mary's heart palpitated
as she took the long lost treasure again
into her hands-and though it was her own
she could not claim it !
She hurried away to finish her errand,
and to consult her aunt about the means of
securing the box. Her aunt, who had
heard its history, was deeply interested for
its recovery, and was ready to contribute
all her surplus means, if necessary, to effect
it. Afraid to wait three long days, till
Saturday, Mary was despatched that very
afternoon to the pawn-broker's, with
twenty-five dollars in her pocket, to depos-
ite in advance, with the promise of more if
that sum should be out-bid. She was not
long in reaching the shop-but her eager
eye, on entering, fell upon an empty space
where the fated box, but an hour before,
was resting. Her heart was sinking with
in her as she inquired,
"Is the box gomez"
eyes, ma'am," replied the man, "you
are a little too late the owner took it
away haitian hour ago. tried to buy it,
but she would not part with it, but said
she knew woman that would give her a
big price for it."
ado you know the woman's name, or
where she lives?"
"No, ma'am. never ask such ques-
tions. She looked like poor one, and the
box will not stick to her hands long, I'll be
bound"
There seemed q cruel end to Mary's re-
vived hopes, and she had nothing to do but
retrace her melancholy steps, and relieve
her aching heart on the bosom Of her
aunt.
Other months passed away and our
afflicted heroine was, as ever, busy in the
holy duty Of seeking the good and advancing
the happiness of others-fhat apprentice
ship of humble hearts on earth, preparatory
to the angelic service above.
Her aunt Curtis had not visited her
since the announcement of Williams
death !; and Mary had long dismissed all
hope of her friendship, and all confidence
in her pretended sympathy. She had sew
eral times met her cousins in their carriage,
who always noticed her just enough to
manifest naughty recognition.
| Cna hrioht Nav morning, as Mary, was