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

half fiercely. 1t Will never diel"
"Then what ails you, again ask ?"
81 am sick of this trifing."
Do you mean to resign the girl to
your rival Y''
"Never |"
Ha-ha Rodney, your vehemence
amuses me; but l like your spirit-I
like your spirit see you are desperate
ly in earnest. Well, my boy, you need
not fear; she shall be yours. Such is my
will, and never yet failed in gaining
any end, to the accomplishment of
which give my whole heart as have
given it to this. Yes, Rodney" the
major added, after a short pause, 81
failed once, most signally failed! failed
to win the only woman ever cared for;
one whom worshipped, adored of
whom 1 cannot think even now, with
out being strangely moved. But all
that is past. You have my word, Rod
ney, that Edith Bentley shall be your
wife ~
"This can only be accomplished in
one way"
"You mean by putting Walter Ell
more out of tbs wayp You are right.
You will then be able to win her with
out trouble, am certain. Trust to me
for effectually removing him from your
path"
What do you propose doingY"
don't know. Stay, 1 have an ideal
You remember the conversation we
overheard in Union Square between Ell
more and his friend, DR.. Oakley, in
which he spoke of a mystery surround
ing his birth, which he was anxious to
penetrate ?'
eyes"
&c He would do much to learn the secret
of his parentage," said the major, mus
ingly. "Yes, Rodney, 1 believe the
plan have in my mind would prove
success. Let us go in here and talk it
over"
They entered saloon which they
were passing, and seating themselves at
table, ordered brandy. For some min
utes they discussed the majors project
in low tone.
"Do you know any one whom you
could trust to do the job ?' asked Rod
ney, when the major had given him an
idea of the foul plot he had concocted.
C / do but will not trust the secret
to the keeping of another. 1 will strike
the blow myself. 1t will be the safest. :"
You are right but cannot /, in some
way, assist you9''
"No; 1 can do better alone.n
every well. But do you not think
Bentley will suspect us when Elmore is
missed ?"
IF he should he would not dare make
his thoughts known"
"Are you sure ?'
"Positive. He is in my power; he
would not venture to speak. But do
not think he will suspect either of us.
Leave all to me, Rodney and rest assur-
ed that Gilmore will be removed from
your path"
When do you propose putting this
plan into execution ?"
"I'll consider the matter day or two
longer, and when everything is ready /
will inform YOU"
every we'll; leave it all to YOU"
"Don't think me conceited, my dear
boy, if say it could not be in better
hands"
\ y
The days wore wearily on; but Henry
Oakley could obtain no clue to Mara's
whereabouts.
Ralph Marsden, meanwhile, visited
her daily, renewing at each visit, his
proposition of marriage, which was al
ways met with firm refusal. He assum.
ed, in her presence calm and agreeable
demeanor; and endeavored in every
way to induce her to look more favora
bly, upon him but she loathed and alb
horred him; and had determined to die
by her own hand rather than under any
circumstances to be his.
One morning, the fifth after Mara'i
disappearance from her home, a woman
dressed in black and heavily veiled tool
her station in Twentieth street at 6
point where she could see any one who
might enter or leave Jared Percival's
mansion. For halfan-hour she stood
watching. At the expiration of this
time she perceived a man, evidently
servant, leaving the house
"Now," she murmured, "may Heav
en- aid me or that poor girl is foreve,
lost. Weak and foolish know 1 am