The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-12-25
THAT WOMAN'S SECRET.
CONTINUED.
H \HJE WILL consider the matter-

"Very possible and very probable
such was my first thought"
g l fear 1t was Marsden who abducted
her. Still we have not particle of
proof that such is the case. But calm
yourself, Henry, or you will be fit for
nothing In the work before you. DO
you think it likely that this Mrs. Van
Dyke is guilty of completely in the
affair ?"
" 1 think not-yet it is possible-I do
not like the woman's looks"
" Is she related to Miss Sydney ~
' She Is her aunt ="
"Then 1t Is not likely that she would
put the girl in that mans power"
"No. Walter" the young man ex-
claimed, with sudden burst of feeling,
will be frank with you. In the few
short weeks l have known Mara Sgd
ney have learned to love her with the
whole strength of my being. My every
ambition is centered in her; / care for
her above all else on earth. And now
that she has grown so dear to me can ii
be that am to lose her thus; that she
is to be taken from me and consigned to
Heaven alone knows what perhaps
death perhaps fate worse than death ~
Hope for the best, my dear Oakley"
said Walter, grasping his friends hand
"and call on me for any assistance L can
possibly afford"
Gt fhat,ly NV hon MT Wal
ter" the young physician replied. "And
now advise me what to do. 1t is Grim
inal in me to be idle moment while
Mara is in, know not what peril"
''The only thing you can do now,"
said Gilmore, is to place the matter in
the hands of the police, or make it
known to some reliable detective, ac-
quainting him with your suspicious of
Marsden and all the particulars of the
abduction.
II will do so once, Walter. There is
3 private detective on Eighth street,
Stoner by name, of whose skill / have
heard much. will go to him instant
ly,'' and the young physician left his
friend with a hurried farewell, and
hastened, half distracted, out into the
night and the storm.
\ y = i
Ralph Marsden was ushered by the
servant into a magnificently furnished
parlor. Seating himself before the open
fireplace, the inanimate form of Mara
still in his arms, he addressed the
servant.
Send Mr.. Percival to me at once
Yes, sir.'
For few minutes the young man sat
steadily gazing into Mara's pallid face
which rested on his arm.
AT last" he muttered, " she is
mine, and no human power can take
her from me-"
A tall, dark, elegantly dressed man,
whose handsome face bore unmistakable
marks oil dissipation, entered the room,
and sauntering with an easy grace to
where Mr.. Marsden sat, extended his
hand, saying:
6 Ralph, my boy, how arep So this
is the girl of whom you spoke this
morningp'
Yes, Jared is she not lovely -
"By Jove she ISL said the gambler,
for such he was. Marsden, you're a
lucky feliow.'
He gazed down into Mara's innocent
face, with an expression of undisguised
admiration.
" Well, my dear fellow" he con-
tinued, she will be safe here. She shall
have every luxury our bachelors hall
can afford, and l doubt ere long you
will succeed in winning her undivided
affections; and why should you not ?
You are young, handsome wealthy
No compliments, Percival, L beg of
you,' interposed Marsden, with slight
laugh. "And now send for servant to
take this young girl to her apartment
Percival touched bell, and moment
later man entered.
" Take this young lady to room No.
g. directed Jared Percival.
The servant manifested no surprise
he was too we'll trained-but lifting the
girl in his arms bore her from the apart
ment.
How is our little biz in the other
part of the house?" asked Marsden. as
the man left the room.
Flourishing, my dear Ralph, flour
ishing," was the reply; Sits without
doubt the biggest game in the city just
now, thanks to my experience, and the
ir.A..an, .,e 4