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


fitted through Frances Vaughan's
brain. Once she rose, determined to
steal away unpercelved; then she asked
herself where she should goY Ross
Stanhope had promised to arrange
home for her in the city and come for
her Immediately, but since his departure
he had been constantly making excuses,
and in his last letter said 1t would be
best for her to remain at Woodlea
through the summer, as he was likely
to be away on business tour, very
important to him. Indeed, she did not
know but he had already gone. How
could she brave her grandfather's indig-
nation And yet there was no other
course possible. The consciousness of
being beloved would have inspired her
with courage, but she had begun to
doubt this, for on the very day of their
marriage Mr.. Stanhope had shown
some annoyance when he learned she
could not demand her own small for
tune until she was twenty.one, and that
Mr.. Vaughan's dlspleasure was thing
she dared not encounter at present. He
had expressed much sorrow for his hasty
words, and she had forgiven them, but
now they returned with renewed force.
To thrust herself upon him, an unwel-
come burthen, was not to be thought
of except in an extremity. If she could
tell Mr.. Murray the particulars of this
miserable story, and ask his advice.
She made her headache sufficient
excuse for not appearing at dinner. 1t
was mid. afternoon when she crept down
stairs, pale and trembling, and found
the household assembled in the library,
her grandfather warmly discussing some
point.
He was no favorite of mine," Edith
said, as she entered.
"We not infrequently meet men of
that stamp in society,"" Mr.. Murray
rejoined. "They are entertaining, and
in certain respects refined, while their
claim to genius attracts not few real
friends. 1t is source of regret to me
that they have not sufficient wisdom to
choose an honorable path, and do some
thing worthy of a mans ambition"
eve were speaking of Mr.. Stanhope,"
Mr.. Vaughan said, turning to Frances.
"Here is the end of his career at pres
ent," and he pointed out paragraph in
paper. /" 1 do regret that he should
have been tolerated at Woodlea, or that
either of you should have met him."
He looked sharply at Frances as he
uttered this. She ran her eyes over the
account, growing deathly pale. Ross
| Stanhope had been arrested for forgery,
so clearly proven that his guilt did not
| admit of doubt. For moment il
seemed as If she would faint, then her
| grandfather's voice denOuncing him,
demanded some attention on her part.
| She gave one quick glance at Edith,
| pure, proud and stately, and then caught
the look of anxious questioning in Mr..
Murray's eyes.
" am his wife," she said, just above
her breath. Z" 1t matters little now how
1 came to yield to such an infatuation 1
can only confess the fact. have for
feited all right to your care"
Even the presence of visitor could
not restrain Mr.. Vaughan, whose anger
now knew no bounds. He denounced
| Frances as an migrate, and accused her
| of following the low tastes she had
inherited from her mother, declaring
that WoOdlea was no home for her, and
never could be again.
Hush" Edith said, at length. "You
excite yourself fearfully," for he was
trembling in every limb. Frances,
leave me with him."
She had scarcely crossed the hall when
look at the strained, fearless eyes.
CO." she said, in faint, broken
voice, "don't pity me. deserve it all.
Grandfather was right-I haven't any
of the Vaughan pride. have never
been happy here. If any one had loved
me, perhaps might not have cared SO
much for Ross Stanhope. But he SEEM
ed so good, so aweet and tender. 1 can
never make you understand the tempta-
ton 1t was. / thought he would take
me away from Woodlea; dreamed of
being so happy, and this is the end.''
I" If had returned sooner--if, indeed,
1 had never gone away !"
MOP she said, putting away the
outstretched hands. ST never could