The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-04-13
NO. IS.

have been worthy. Do not think Of
me. Edith is so much better and grand
er. And heaven knows how sorry / am
to have caused you one pang Cast me
out utterly, as they all will l have
made my own misery"
She darted away and flew to her room.
Ross Stanhope In a felon's cell = her
husband He must, he would be glad
to see her now, and 1t was best to go at
once. His mother lived somewhere in
the city, and she would find her, share
the sorrow and the shame. The thought
gave her sudden courage. She made
few preparations, and wrote hasty
note explaining her resolve and giving
a few particulars of her marriage. Then
she stole softly down stairs to listen. A
servant was coming from her grand
fathers room.
"How is hep" she asked, tremu-
lously.
He has had bad turn, but is getting
better Your cousin and Mr.. Murray
are with him. They think he will not
need the doctor.
Much relieved at this, Frances speedily
equipped herself, taking few valuables
and the money with which she was
kept literally supplied. In less than an
hour the train would leave, and she had
barely time to walk to the station. She
locked the door that they might not
suspect her SO soon, and passed through
the servants hall unobserved. No one
met her in the grounds, though she
scarcely drew comfortable breath until
she found herself leaving Woodlea far
behind. She had been to the city on
little pleasure excursions with Edith,
when their grandfather was along to
care for them, but she felt helpless and
undecided now. 1t would be evening
when she reached her destination, and
nothing could be done until the next
morning. 1t would be wiser to go at
once to the hotel where they usually
stayed, instead of rambling about seek
ing some hiding place. No one would
search for her thus early.
Frances Stanhope passed an almost
intolerable night. She made some in
quiries of a servant, and at the earliest
moment practicable started out to gain
an interview with her husband, yelled
herself closely, and shrinking from
every person with whom she came in
contact. At last she reached the gloomy
place, and found herself too soon. Sew
eral others were waiting, and Frances
heart well nigh failed her. The rude
sights and sounds, the coarse faces and
loud tones, filled her with dismay. She
covered pitifully beside woman closely
yelled like herself, but about whom
there was an unmistakable air of refine
ment Her turn came first, and the
strained ears caught the sound-Stan-
hope. She grasped the woman's arm.
You are his mother" she gaspei,
Ross Stanhope's mother!"
yes, am his mother" and Mrs.
Stanhope tried to loosen the clasp.
Have pity upon me-" she implored.
=" am his wife," and throwing aside
her veil, Frances encountered sorrow-
ful face, but one she knew she need not
fear. For moment the two studied
each other Frances would have clung
to almost any one who betrayed kind
ly heart. Her youth and girlish lowell
ness touched Mrs. Stanhope deeply, yet
this was the first announcement of her
sons marriage, and she was silent from
surprise. She drew her one side, pres
emily, and began to question her. The
brief story was soon told.
"You had better see him first" Mrs.
Stanhope said. 81 will relinquish my
right" and she requested the warden to
conduct the young girl to Mr.Stanhope's
cell, through the dismal corridor where
their steps woke echoes that fell strange
ly ON her ears. Then the bolt in the
lock snapped with sharp click, and
theman rlotioned her to enter.
She was pale and trembling with
terror and a sense of shame of which she
could not divest herself. She stood quite
still, not daring to advance.
"Good Heavens What evil genius
sent you here ?" Ross Stanhope said,
not unkindly, and yet in a tone that
brought the tears to her eyes.
TO see you. o, Ross" and all her
firmness gave way.
81 wish you had not Gomez and
though he took her in his arms, he gave
no other token of welcome. "Why
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