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


and 80 It dsgraces You without Afford
ing nae a particle Of assistance."
Frances Stanhope freed herself from
the clasp In which there was 30 little
affection. She thrust down the pang
that threatened to strangle her, and
steadied her voice.
1.-Two months ago thought you low
ed me" +" she began, with a calmness that
surprised even herself. " l would have
given my life to serve you; l did give
what was of more value. / believed In
you Implicitly. Aud now"
1--WE may as well tell each other the
truth, +" he began, sullenly, averting his
face. :" 1t was foolish step, and I'm
sorry l persuaded you to take 1t. Love
cooked fair enough at Woodlea, when
we had nothing else to do. And il we
had either of us been rich, 1t would have
proved smooth sailing, but l couldn't
do anything with u wife here in the
city, Maybe if you had been patient,
the affair might have come around right
tome time, but as it stands, it's crazy
pieee of work. You'll be able to get
divoEee, and that's best, as your friends
will tell you. I'm sorry enough about
it, Frances" p"
This careless voice had once been
persuasive and impatient, and depicted
for her visions of happiness; this moody
face had been radiant and tender until
it had inspired her with the fullest faith.
O, why bod she been 80 blind, for now
she could see. Ross Stanhope had veiled
his aesiish motives for the time, but
having failed, he no longer cared to
Alsguise hem, yet he would gladly have
given Frances her freedom'if it had been
N bis power. The marriage had been
of no benefit to him and he could scarce
~ hope it would be, now.
The miserable interview came to an
end at length. Frances was glad to
cave him, though she felt unutterably
wretehed. Mrs. Stanhope remained with
him nearly an hour, and coming back,
took the poor girl in her arms.
" y ~ are mine," she said, with ten
Ger kiss "and we must comfort each
other. viii you go home with me?"
Frances was only too glad to comply.
Three rooms in an unpretentious house
on quiet street, that if poor, wore an
air of cheerfulness and comfort. After
ward, when she learned how the mother
had sacrificed all to her child, in the
hope of one day seeing him take high
place among his fellow men, she honor
ed as we'll as loved. 1t was the old story
Of a handsome, selfish youth, with some
talent, perverting all his good gifts.
The trial came on speedily. The case
WAS so clear that hardly any effort was
made for defence. Ross Stanhope was
found guilty, and sentenced to term of
five years labor in the State Prison.
And Frances shuddered when she found
herself convict's wife. Once she had
been proud of his love.
When she was missed at Woodlea,
Mr.. Vaughan would have no search
instituted for her. He was implacable
in his resentment. He forbade Edith to
mention her name, and the real cause of
her departure was not even explained to
the servants. AT first it was impossible
for Mr. Murray to leave his old friend,
but his secret heart longed for some
tidings of the wanderer, so he wrote to
his lawyer, and through him learned
that Frances Stanhope was with her
husbands mother.
Left alone with a fair field, Edith
Vaughan labored .skilfully to remove
the impression her cousin had made.
f'air and gracious, she brought herself
4uto strong contrast with the impulsive,
misguided girl, who had chosen to fol-
low her first fancy. But Evan Murray
was clear eyed, and he understood the
cold craftiness of Edith. Woodlea would
I've no temptation to him.
1t was not until after the trial that he
sought Frances. No brother could have
been kinder, and by degrees he won
rom her the old story of her ill-fated
marriage.
You could procure divorce" he
aaid, slowly. You are still young
and there is so much of life before
you"
" cannot forget that married Ross
Stanhope of my own free will, and ]
shall accept the punishment. No one
upon earth needs me besides his mother
aud she is broken in health as well al
heart. shall devote my life to her
If, at the expiration of five years, h,
shall have repented," and her voic
trembled, I" think 1 shall know m,
duty. God will give me strength to d,