The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-06-10

lcdte Hedlln preVenJeu ner from Iuanl-
testing.
Thus things had gone at the Hall un-
til about five years before the period at
which our story commences, when its
gentle mistress had passed away from
earth. For four years after that, Mrs.
East kept her place in the Lynton
household. At the end of that time she
had severe illness, and like many peo-
pie who have enjoyed unbroken health
all their lives, she was completely pros
trated under 1t. From the first she felt
convinced that she would never recov-
er but, strong minded to the last, she
kept the knowledge to herself, only in
sisting that some one should be installed
in her place at the Hall, begging that she
herself might go and live in vacant
cottage belonging to Mr.. Lynton-" for
time" as Dora said, when she fearful
ly agreed to the change; and the woman,
looking into the sweet young face, had
not the heart to tell her that the parting
was forever-that henceforth strangers
must fulfill the duties that had been her
pride and pleasure to perform, and that
in few short months the old places
would know her no more.
AS the weeks went by without any
change for the better, Dora began to
have some vague presentiment of what
the end might be but this evening her
hopes had risen tenfold, for Mrs. East
seemed less feeble than she had been for
many days, and Dora had not sufficient
experience to know that such change
is often the precursor of death.
' L am glad to find you looking bet
ter" she said cheerfully, as she drew on
her gloves. "Do try and make haste to
get quite well. shall come to see you
tomorrow or the next day. But must
go now, or Morley will be tired waiting
for me-"
"To-morow ?" the wistful eyes said,
as plainly as eyes could speak, that they
had looked ON their last sunset, but
Dora did not understand their mute
language, and, with bright smile and
nod, she turned to go, and had reached
the door, when she was startled by the
sharp cry, 'Doral"
"What is the matterp " exclaimed
Dora, springing to the side of the bed,
where Mrs. East had raised herself to a
sitting position, her arms extended, and
an expression of severe pain on her
features.
{" L cannot let you go like that, my
darling" was the reply. ooh, heaven
ly Father, forgive me if L have done
wrong but cannot. All these weary
years have watched oyer, and tended
you, and loved you, as few mothers love
their children, without daring to claim
a mothers privileges but it seems as if
| could not die without telling you
all.n
''There, there" said Dora, in sooth-
ing tone, gently trying to force the
invalid back on the pillow, 81 know
you have been very good to me, and l
love you very dearly; but you must not
excite yourself, or they will not let me
come to see you again; and what could
do without my second mother, as
mamma used to call you ?''
"Dora, she was the dupe of decep.
ton, as you are," replied Mrs. East
"There is not drop of her blood in
your veins. Her child was born dead
am your mother. Don't turn from
me-" she continued, pitifully, for Dora
had started back in amazement and fear
lest the speaker were delirious.
"You distress me, and will make
yourself worse" she said, at length
"Shall call Mrs. Hunt ?"
"Not until you have heard my story,
replied Mrs. East, evidently struggling
hard to maintain her composure. "Yor
may think me delirious but know
am dying, and that 1 have very few
hours to live. With that knowledge
should not dare to tell anything bu
the simple truth. was Mrs. Lynton's
lady's maid before her marriage. Abou
year after she left home, also wa!
married. Some months after, my hus
band met with an accident, that result
ed in his death, and was left unpro
vided for.
In my trouble, Mrs. Lynton sent fo
me, and finding we should both become
mothers about the same time, it wa
agreed that 1 should stay with her; anC
and if her child lived-which, from he
state of health, seemed extremely i'm
probable : that 1 should nurse is a
well as my own. At that time Mr.. an'