The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-02-03

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words stung him how he would have
liked to strike the man before him dead
yet he dared make no move, for he
knew that Lionel Cashel tall and athlet-
ic, was by far his physical superior. But,
as he rang for a servant, strange
gleam came into his eyes,-a gleam that
was cold and cruel. Lionel did not
perceive that expression, for, though he
was alert, he was not looking the villain
In the face.
SAINT" said the false master of The
Cedars, when his ring was answered,
show this gentleman to the crimson
room and build fire for him as soon
as possible"
The mans tones were perfectly smooth.
Lionel Cashel took up his hat and
cloak, and followed the servant from the
library. Reaching the sleeping-room,
he lighted the two lamps he found there.
SAINT went away, but returned very
shortly with scuttle of coal, and some
kindlings. Soon cheerful fire was
leaping and curling in the CRATE
"You can go now" Lionel said to
SAINT.
After SAINT was gone, he closed the
door, and examined its fastenings; he
found that 1t could be bolted and barred
securely.
Lionel looked about the apartment.
1t was hung with crimson velvet. He
examined the walls, but beheld no other
means of entrance than the door
81 am perfectly secure" he said to
himself
He sat down by the fire and mused
Verify, crime is its own punish
ment," thought he. "The agony of Va
lasuuez in those first moments of be-
holding me was terrible An age of
torment must have seemed to be concen-
trated in moment. But he braved it
out well at last"
Lionel's musing continued.
My life is tangled web," he said
aloud; "but, come what may, / shall
proceed with all my powers against
Valasquez. l have delayed too long
now. AS told him, do not wish an
orphan girls inheritance; but it is best
to attack him from all sides. A suit
against him may not benefit me; but l
hope it may aid to overwhelm him with
defeat the sooner"
1t was approaching midnight when
Lionel retired. Considering the apart
ment secure, he had no fear of danger,
and was soon fast asleep.
Meantime, the false master of The
Cedars had continued i'm the library.
For some hours he sat in silence before
the fire in crouching attitude that was
| like tigers. That glare that was
as cruel as the grave was ever in his
eyes.
At length he sprang to his feet, his
white face set resolutely.
This plan is better than any other"
he muttered: "why have L hesitated to
adopt it 2 Even had L known that he
lived, could have prayed for no better
opportunity than this night gives me-"
He went out and was absent nearly an
hour.
He returned finally with stout cord
in his hand, and locked the doors of the
library. Then he proceeded to q desk,
and, inserting the key of 1t in the lock,
stood muttering.
LAY will do it," was his thought:
"he shall die. He said that If attempt
ed to harm him my blood would be
upon my own head; but will run the
risk. He will give me trouble in the
future If do not put him out of the
way. Now is my chance, for L shall
never again have such an opportunity"
The man turned the key, and drew
out drawer. Reaching in the aperture
it had left, he felt about for moment,
and then from within took out another.
This last one contained bottles filled
with various colored liquids. He i'm
mediately selected one from among the
rest. 1t was labeled chlorOform.
He lifted it out, and set it down by
itself, while the cruel expression on his
face deepened.
Then he lifted out tiny vial that
contained drop of colorless fluid. He
held 1t up, and an indefinable expression
came into his eyes.
The last resort" he muttered, " to
be used if ever 1 am forced to the
wall 20
With slight shudder, he replaced the
vial in the drawer, and in moment
the desk was locked, the bottle of chlo-
roform being retained.
1t was some time past midnight.