The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-04-13

Vaughan sprang up suddenly, her face
full of terror. " You have no right to
say this of me, or rather have no right
to listen. 1 was not dreaming of such
thing"
{" / have the right man always has
when he loves woman, that of telling
her And though do not expect you
to answer me now, l did not want
any Misunderstanding between us, or
any foolish scruple to keep yeu from
woman's natural heritage, love"
:" l have shut myself out forever" she
said, in accents of passionate despair
have taken the dross when / might
have had the gold. l should have told
you all that morning would have if L
had imagined this ending But 1
thought you would love"
Your cousin Edith. | have read you
rightly thus far. guessed you Stunned
me ON this account"
mot that alone. must brave your
displeasure, knowing that have sinned
past forgiveness, and confess"
There was a slight rustic In the hall,
and Frances paused, trembling in every
limb, o. AS Edith entered, she turned her
face away, and began searching for
book
Edith Vaughan was as superbly calm
as If she did not suspect she had inter-
rupted an important conversation mot
q moment too soon," she thought
within herself, and fierce pang swept
over her heart, followed by one of tri-
umph at the consciousness, amounting
to belief, that Frances was no longer
free. What could man like Mr.. Muir
ray see in such child :
When Frances could command her.
self sufficiently, she left the room. Mr..
Murray was almost irritated at the
interruption, and studied some excuse
fora speedy departure, but Mr.. Vaughan's
entrance put this resolve to flight. He
gave Edith a message for her cousin
concerning some arrangements for the
evening. Thus armed, she sought Fran
ces Immediately.
The young girl had yielded to her first
impulse of passionate tears. Like
lightning flash the fatal mistake of her
life cleaned before her, half stunning
her with the knowledge. The web she
had woven about herself in moment
of girlish weakness now held her in
giant tolls. There was no escape. Now
only the truth was possible, and that
could not save her. And TO have missed
such tenderness
The cold, calm voice of Edith grated
harshly upon her shrinking nerves, and
she covered beneath the pitiless look.
Edith came nearer.
How long is this scheming and du-
plicity to be carried on 7" she asked, at
length.
cit was not my fault. o, Edith,
believe that 1 never sought him, that L
never dreamed of his caring for me |"
"What right have you to any mans
regard ~
"None," the younger said, humbly.
In another moment would have told
him all"
You had better put on your ring,
and show yourself in your true colors,"
Edith responded, bitterly.
"You know thenp o, Edith, have
little pity on me. 1 was wild at the
time, hungering and thirsting for love,
and believed in Ross Stanhope. But 1
have been so miserable since, that /
have prayed daily to die.'
"You are his wife ~ Edith asked,
hardly sure of her assertion, and yet
resolved to know.
81 am his wife,"
''You chose your own destiny.
warned you, and you must have known
the consequences"
Looking back, it seemed as IL some
strange fascination must have possessed
Frances Vaughan. She could not ac-
count for it herself.
"The sooner this miserable work Is
confessed the better. have only sus-
pected your secret, though might have
assured myself of the truth long ago.
You know that grandfather will be very
angry.n
"Ifyou would tell him, Edith
"I2 You should have thought of the
end before you took the step. L certain
ly shall decline having any thing to do
with it,"
1t was useless to urge. There was not
even sympathy In that proud face before