The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-12-04

and fiattered by such proposal as you
intend making Miss Bentley. assure
you, my dear, Walter, the author Of
is considered quite 'catch.'"
There was short silence, which was
broken by Walter, who exclaimed:
Henry, there is Mrs. Clayton on
Broadway she is coming in this direc-
ton. will join her, and strive once
more to learn from her the secret of my
birth which am certain she possesses.
BY all she holds dear and sacred will
implore her to relieve my mind of this
terrible doubt and uncertainty. i will
try to learn that woman's secret''
"She is a strange woman," said DIR.
Oakley. "Do you know where she
lives, Walter?"
"No; all know of her is her name;
and even that doubt. For years l have
been familiar with her face. have often
met her on the street, and several times
she has warned me of impending dan
ger, and / believe, saved me much
trouble and distress. She has always in
terested herself in my welfare, although
we have spoken but few words together.
L am positive she could solve the mys-
terry of my parentage if she would,
Henry, but whenever l mention the
subject to her she refuses to speak, or
gives me an evasive answer. 1 will go
to her now; and if can by words
l. L. - I ,,,sII L, - II.s
time the knowledge would be, indeed,
Heaven-sent blessing"
So saying he fastened toward the lady
his friend going in an opposite direction.
The two men whom we have mention
ed as listeners to the above conversation
arose. They were no other than Major
Heith and his son. AS this is the latter
individuals first appearance in our
story we will pause moment to describe
him. Rodney Heith was tall, we'll
built man, perhaps twenty-five years of
age, very dark complexioned, with black
hair, and eyes of the same color. Pecu-
liar and very expressive eyes they were
too now flashing with baleful fire as
SOlhN OilSlO lnllllGu Ills UtlllH
now cleaning with asinister light as the
current of his thought changed its course;
now soft and tender as woman's. In
short his eyes were perfect index Of his
mind. He was remarkably handsome
man, of that bold dashing style of
beauty so pleasing to some women. And
he was an unscrupulous man; a man
without conscience; possessing dar-
ing and bravado of which few men can
boast, and yet which was cloaked by an
exterior so mild that no one could have
suspected the true nature of the man.
For few moments after the departure
of Walter Elmore and his friend the two
men stood looking at each other in 81
lence.
At last Rodney said, with laugh:
''S So, it seems have rival"
Bentley did not mention this fellow
to me-" said the major, frowning.
According to the young mans own
confession the banker does not know of
his aspirations to Miss Bentley's
hand"
True; had forgotten that. Well,
he must be warned of this; and must
put stop to their intimacy at once; we
will not be foiled by this boy. Still,
shall not seek another interview with
Bentley until Tuesday. If this young
Gterateur should make his proposal for
the girls hand the old gentleman will
know it won't do to accept him. No
no, Rodney have decided that she shall
be your wife, and yours she shall be in
spite of everything"
" "Suppose Miss Bentley should really
be in love with this young MANI"
"Then, my boy, you must transfer
her affections from him to yourself"
The young man said no more on the
subject, and the couple repaired to their
hotel, an obscure, down town house,
where they were stopping under assum-
ed names, awaiting the day which was
to be signalized by their debut in fash
ionable society.
Let us now follow Walter Elmore.
Immediately after leaving his friend
he joined the lady he had spoken of as
Mrs. Clayton.
She was tall, remarkably fine-look-
ing woman, perhaps fifty years of age
Her hair was perfectly white, yet was
thick and luXuriant as girls. Her
features were purely Grecian in outline,
her eyes dark and expressive.
Har5e e