The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-02-17

not mentioned IL nor do l expect to-"
In view of wicked plan that he had
devised, those were the very words that
the villain wished to draw from the girl
He had realized that he should scarcely
dare put his plan In execution il she
had mentioned to any one his proposal
and her refusal. But she had acted in
that matter as he had hoped and believed
she would, and he felt that he could
proceed without any danger of suspicion
falling upon him.
Barbara turned away. AS she did 80
Valasquez sprang forward, and, selling
her, placed his hand over her mouth.
She tried to scream, but could not; for
that cruel pressure kept her silent.
"Silence, or you shall die!" Missed
the villain In her ear.
Barbara sank cold and white in his
arms.
She had tainted with fright. He tied
handkerchief about her mouth, and
with another bound her hands, Then
he lifted her, and carried her out into
the night.
There was no moon, and clouds were
sailing across the heavens. 1t seemed
as though nature, even, was favoring
the dark plans of the villain.
Valasquez was in the rear of the De
We're residence, and evidently there was
nothing to hinder him from carrying
away Barbara Lindsey. He hastened
rapidly along. Suddenly he darted away
from the house into the shadow of some
trees. He paused beneath one with low
branches. The mournful cry of the
whip poor-will sang out upon the night
| air.
The sound was q signal. 1t was an
swered, repeated, and answered again.
Then crouching figure crept UP to
Valasquez.
Varcor," he said in cautious whis-
per.
" Nrassa Cashel," was the equally
cautious reply.
" Here she is, Varcor. BE careful"
And Varcor, the slave, received Bar
bara. Lindsey in his arms.
In a few minutes, Valasquez was back
in the brilliantly lighted parlors. He
entered from the piazza. His absence
had not been noticed by any one.
6 1 scarcely dared hope for such sue
cess" was his triumphant thought as he
mingled in the gay scene. Il feared
fate would give me no opportunity to ac-
complish my purpose but L could have
wished for no better luck. If had had
the arranging of it all beforehand, could
not have managed matters better"
The bride and groom were, according
to arrangement, to depart for Baltimore
on a train at little past midnight, most
of the guests accompanying them. 1t
was not till preparations began to be
made for this departure, that the absence
of Barbara Lindsey was discovered.
At first no great alarm was felt, for it
was thought that she would yet appear
in time.
But she had utterly disappeared, and
no trace could be found of her about the
residence or grounds.
"What can have become of her 2"
was the question that was asked frequent
ly, but remained unanswered.
The Baltimore guests could not re-
main, and took the train at the appoint
ed hour, pale with alarm at the startling
and tragical termination of the evenings
gayeties. OF course, Victoria and her
husband did not now dream of leaving.
Valasquez played his part well. He
seemed anxious and excited about Bar
bara, but still he did not carry his acting
far enough to cause suspicion that it was
false.
"The last beheld of her, (" he remark
ed to Robert De We're, seemingly Incl
dentally, twas to see her go out on the
piazza with that stranger whose nameis
Victor, as you informed me this even
ing"
'With whom 2" cried Robert.
"With that tall, red-whiskered fellow
who you said was from Baltimore. L
have not noticed either one of them
since"
"By heaven Cashel," cried Robert
excitedly. 81 have not beheld him for
sope time, either. If he has wrought
any harm to her he shall rue it.''
but can scarcely lay her disappear
ance at his door," Robert added. "He
seemed too frank and noble to be.guilty
Of such crime"
But Victor had disappeared, too, as