The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-01-08


misery he is causing you How dared
-v
" Hush-hush, dear father don't say
or do anything more about it. It's all
over now, and might have been far
worse-for might have married him.
Please don't talk So"
Well-well dear, / will not" said
the old man, stroking her forehead
tenderly. Then turning to Edith, he
added
In regard to this missing young
lady, have the police been informed
have detectives been employed 2"
"One-a Mr.. Stoner."
StoDer ~ Mr. Leighton exclaimed.
"What Abel Stoner9 My dear young
lady, that man is one of the greatest
rascals In New York, and If he can get
higher pay to hold his tongue than to
tell what he knows, he'll accept it. I've
had dealings with the man, and know
him thoroughly"
&C DR.. Oakley and Mr.. Gilmore have
the greatest confidence in him." said
Edith.
They are deceived, for he Is a scoun-
drel. He once belonged to the regular
detective force, but was discharged for a
fragrant misdemeanor. He started as
private detective, and with u few as
sistants as INSCRIPTIONS as himself, man.
ages to make considerable money one
way or another. He's smart man, but
he puts his talents to a very bad use. 1
don't doubt he is in Ralph Marsden's
pay"
"Then all the time that has been
spent i'm the search has been lost -
Probably he may know where the
girl is, but if he can get higher pay
from other parties for keeping the fact
to himself than he can from DIR. Oakley
for making it known, he will take
it,
"What can be done ?" Edith asked.
{" I'll see the girls friends myself. If
! possible she shall he saved from life of
ignominy and shame. 1 will see DIR.
| Oakley at once. / can sympathize with
him, for once lost one very dear to me
in similar mysterious way"
| " Indeed, sir 7"
4" Yes, Miss Bentley. / refer to my
daughter, my first child, who disappear
ed one night eighteen years ago, and
whose fate, despite untiring search, |
have never to this day learned. She was
an infant then; now, if alive, she is
woman. L never expect to meet her on
earth again."
Mr.. Leighton was much affected
Edith ventured to ask few particu-
lars.
q" She was stolen from her CRADLE" the
old man said, "while the nurse was for
a few minutes absent from the room.-
By whom the deed was done has ever
remained a profound mystery = one
which dare not, at this late day, ever
hope to solve"
y y
Mara Sydney, when she had left the
gaming house where she had so long
been prisoner, walked rapidly toward
Broadway. She did not feel really Sc
cure until she reached that crowded
thoroughfare. Then came the thought
= where should she go?" She in
stinctively distrusted Mrs, Van Dyke.
She dreaded to go back to the woman,
for she suspected her of completely in
her abduction.
Mara's feelings toward her had never
been those of affection; Mrs. Van
Dykes demeanor toward her had rem
dered it impossible that they should be.
But she remained with the woman in
the hope of some day learning the Sc
cret of her parentage-for she had never
believed Mrs. Van Dykes story of their
relationship; she had noticed many
discrepancies in the different statements
which had been made to her, and had
many reasons for believing that some
thing was concealed from her. But she
knew it would be useless to question the
woman on the subject, SO she had silent
ly waited and watched, but had learned
nothing.
Having determined not to return to
Mrs. Van Dykes, her position became
perplexing one. Where could she find
home? After a few moments thought
she determined to go to Mr.. Oakley and
ask his advice. She had the greatest
confidence in the young physician, and
thought she would be willing to abide
by his decision. Acting upon this
thought she Immediately proceeded to