The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-01-08
THAT WOMAN'S SECRET.
CONTINUED


all vlgilant, and Ralph Marsden ever
visited the place where he might have
the girl confined, that some discovery
would, ere this place, have been made"
True" Edith replied.
The door-bell rang.
IT'S Marsden ~ Alice exclaimed, her
face becoming shade paler. Dear
Edith, will you wait in the library until
he has gone 2"
Edith assented, and Alice conducted
her to the designated apartment.
When she re-entered the library
I.alph Marsden hastened to meet her.
Dear Alice" he began, but checked
himself, noticing an unusual expression
in her face, and hastily exclaimed =
What is the mattelY What has hap
pened 2"
I" Ralph Marsden," Alice said, in a
clear, unfaltering tone, " have heard
that since ] saw you last which has
given me new insight to your charac-
ter. l. All your paling face tells
of guilt You have deceived me from
the first"
guilty conscience, it is said, needs
ao accuser.
Ralph Marsden had, of late appre-
hended exposure from Laura Ordell, and
now the thought of her at once rushed
to his mind.
He was convinced that she had be-
trayed him.
Something of his agitation was visi-
BILE In his face but he soon gained, in a
degree, his equanimity, and exclaimed,
with well-feigned astonishment:
"Alice, what do you mean? OF what
do you accuse me ?"
Ct In reply 1 will ask you one question
and l wish, / demand, truthful
answer: Did you, few nights since,
abducta a young girl from her home,
and--r
lnvoluntarily, Marsden's white lips
uttered the word Betrayed ~ while
his face became distorted with passion.
He doubted not that Laura Ordell had
told Miss Leighton all she knew of him
which was enough to condemn him in
the eyes of any pure woman.
No morel" Alice exclaimed, "leave
me. / thank Heaven have been warn
ed in time; and spared union with one
who would have made me miserable for
iife.n
6 1 will leave you ~ Marsden excaim-
ed, hoarsely; "and rest assured that
the wretched woman from whom YOU
received your warning will be amply re-
paid ere long for the service, the in
estimable service she has rendered you.' -
Alice Leighton shrank from him, ter
rified at the fierce passion he exhib-
tied.
He swept past her, and rushed from
the house like mailman.
Ah !" he muttered fiercely, as he
hastened down the street, attracting the
attention of all passers-by, by his de-
meanor; if 1 had her in my power
now her life would not be worth a
minutes purchase Curse her she's
lost me cool million, and a fair reputa-
ton. knew how it would be If Alice
got the least inkling of any of my little
indiscretions but after all my care, it's
all out-all up! But I'll find Laura
Ordell I'll hunt her up if it takes me
the rest of my life, and when 1 meet
her, she will have cause to bitterly re-
pent the day when she crossed my path.
And now III go to my captive, my
pretty Mara; and to-day, willing or un-
willing, she shall be minel I'll stand
upon no ceremony, have already de-
layed too long,
So saying, the villain turned his
steps towards Jared Percival's, his
whole being stirred with conflicting
emotions.
Scarcely had Ralph Marsden left the
house when Alice Leighton fell fainting
to the floor. A moment later Edith was
by her side.
" What is this What ails my daugh-
ter?" cried old Mark Leighton, entering
the parlor; just now 1 met Marsden
hurrying down the street like mad
man, not even stopping to return my
friendly greeting and now 1 find Alice
in this condition. What is the mat
ter?"
In few minutes Edith told the old
gentleman all. BY the time her story
was finished Alice had recovered con-
sciousness.