The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-10-05

approaching. One day she sent for me
to visit her. AS entered she dismissed
the nurse who attended her, and notion
ed me to q seat beside her bed. Her
voice was faint and broken, and saw
at a glance that the end was not far off
Maggie, my child" she said TO me
with tears in her eyes, this is the last
time we shall ever be alone together. l
i,ave wanted to speak with you for some
time, but dreaded the ordeal, and,
Maggie, you have avoided It,"
She looked at me keenly, and my eyes
fell before her dying glance. 1 felt she
suspected me.
"Maggie, you have the shadow of
great sin resting on your soul. 1t is
wasting your life away. Tell me all
about 1t. Is it's It murder ?"
"Aunt!" | exclaimed, starting to my
feet, "do you believe me so base No,
by the God who judges lis all, swear
to you that Minnie Lee is safe and well.
am guilty, dear aunt,"I added more
softly, moved by the kindness and con-
-sideration she showed me, "guilty of a
mean aud treacherous scheme, but
thank God, the crime of murder does
not burden my soul. bribed the gyp-
sizes to take her out of my sight, out of
Herhert's sight, for could not bear the
misery of seeing the affection he once
felt for me lavished upon her. @ aunt,
pity me, for am very wretched. What
was her ihsipid love to mine? l would
have laid down my life for him, and he
threw away my devotion and took her
TO his heart. You must know, dear
aunt, she could not love him as did,"
My aunt did not answer. She cover
ed her face with her wasted hands, and
sobbed with violence that made me
ssear for her weak condition.
"Oh, hush, dear aunt, calm yourself,"
d cried, throwing my arms about her
neck. Pray calm yourself and tell
tne that you forgive me and think had
ssenOe excuse for my crime"
" My child, pity and forgive you
FROM the bottom of my heart. Your
love for Herbert was passionate and
overlooking. But, Maggie, would it
not have been proof of greater love if
you had sacrificed your feelings for the
sake of the love you bore him : You
say be loved Minnie, that he gave her
the love he once bestowed on you. How
could you then wound him SO deeply as
10 take from him what he valued most
Rn the world? 1t was jealousy, Maggie,
woman S besetting sin, that prompted
your action but it is not too late to
make an atonement. Promise me, it is
the last request shall make to you,
promise me that you will not rest until
you have restored Minnie to her mother
aud to Herbert"
20 aunt, cannotl" 1 cried passion
ateiy. . Never, never can see her
Herbert's wifel''
My aunt raised herself in bed, her
dilated eyes evincing the excitement
that had taken possession of her.
Promise" she cried in loud, strong
voice, ''or my spirit will not rest quietly
in the other world. Promise what
demand, or it will be with you day and
night, giving you no rest, sleeping or
waking, until the atonement is made.''
Her voice failed her, and in an instant
her white dress was stained with a
bright crimson stream that flowed from
her lips. 1 quickly summoned the nurse.
My aunt could no longer speak, but all
the time her dying eyes were fixed on
mine with wild and beseeching look,
as if extorting the promise had refused
to give.
i knelt down by her bedside, and
whispered in her ear, Dear aunt, your
spirit shall have rest, for L will do
what you require, and may God give me
strength to subdue the bad passions that
L cannot yet conquer"
A look Of serenity came over her face
as spoke these words, and she feebly
pressed the hand | held. In a few
moments she was dead.
AS soon as the funeral was over 1 set
about fulfilling my promise. Taking
only change of garments, and what
little money l had on hand, set out on
my expedition.
To the NORTH" the gypsy woman
had said, and l started in that direction.
After wandering about for several weeks,
travelling most of the way by railroad
and stages, but going many a weary
mile on foot, a. l. ST found clue TO nv
8 earch. A party of gypsies, answering
to the description 1 furnished, were
on deserted estate about