The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-12-20


he emerged from the concealment of the
low branches, sufilced to assure her that
it was George Slade. The next instant
she saw that one powerful arm was
thrown around the neck of her lover,
whose slight person swayed backward in
its coil, and then both sunk together
from her sight.
The nature of Jane was one on which
fear acted as q sudden paralysis. All
power of volitlon deserted her, and she
stood cold and rigid as marble statue,
with her eyes strained upon the point
at which the objects of her interest had
disappeared. After time, of the length
of which she was unconscious, the head
of George, who appeared advancing
toward the parsonage, was again visible
above the fence row bushes. Under any
circumstances she would have wished
to avoid meeting him when alone, but
his approach gave shape to her undefin-
ed terrors, and,to escape his observation,
she crouched upon mound of grass be-
side which she had stood. AT length
there was heavy tramp outside of the
impervious hedge, mingled with the
sound of weight dragged over the
roadside weeds then the gate was push
ed back, and George Slade stood within,
painting for breath, and with face so
frightfully expressive of evil passions,
that, if she had studied its lineaments,
she might have doubted his Identity
But another object met her eye. At his
feet lay the body of Lewis Walton,
which in passing through the gate he
he had allowed to fall from his grasp
the pallid, bloody corse of her lover.
Well might the ringing shrek which
burst from her lips have appalled, the
wicked heart of the murderer. His first
impulse seemed to be to double his crime
to escape its consequences, but when he
recognized the beautiful, feeble creature
covering before him, he thrust back to
its place of concealment the broad knife
which had family cleaned in the fading
light. In the moment of oppressive
silence which followed, lie endeavored,
without effect, to recover sufficient self
possession for deciding how to act.
There was all the confusion of cowardice
in his manner as he exclaimed, "You
here, Jane l-how happen you to be in
this lonesome, deserted old place, alone,
and so long after sundown ?"
No answer was returned, and chill
ran through even his iron frame as he
looked upon the stone-like features, and
into the CLASSY eyes which she turned
toward him. He approached her, and,
as if to arouse her from her torpor, laid
his hand upon her shoulder. The shiver
with which she shrank from his touch
alone betrayed the presence of life
"How long have you been sitting here,
Jane?" he demanded; "and can you
tell me any thing of this Pa dead body,
warm and bleeding, is strange thing to
find by the way-side in this peaceful
country. Look at it as we'll as the light
will let you, and tell me if L am right
it seems to me to be one you will think
you have good reason to grieve over"
But Jane buried her face in her lap,
and answered only by shudder and
piteous moan.
Answer me, Jane Wilmot ~ persist
ed George, with more of his wonted
boldness; ''what do you know of this
thing never saw Walton but once,
but my memory deceives me if this is
not his body. Is it so ? and how came
it where found it t?-either you or L
p,uet o,;ya m oooo,,t of ~ 1u ,,,o ,~,,,ot
share between us the penalty of being
near the spot where such deed was
acting !"
Still she was mute, and after mo-
ment of perplexity, he stopped down
and continued in his smoothest tones of
persuasion-"Don't fear, don't fear,
poor girl wished but to know if you
could tell me any thing that could ex-
plain this strange mystery. 1t is i'll
luck to us both that brought us in the
way at such time, for should the charge
fall on me of first handling this bloody
trunk, what proof have L that came
upon it by chance, and drew it to place
where it might be secure, as an honest
citizen should ?-my life may be in your
hands, Jane Wilmot! and how would
my mother bear the trouble that word
of yours might bring upon her ?"
The chord, of which he well knew the
strength, vibrated at his touch. Jane
clasped her hands, and, in the agony Of
her spirit, almost screamed, "Oh, moth.
er my precious mother ~ and she
covered her face as before.