The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-05-10


my mother was awakened by the noise
made by the ruf1ians, and died of ter
| ror."
" Doubtless you are right" ! said,
"but the whole affair is most mysteri-
Gus. The villains must have known of
the exact whereabouts of the jewels, and
that the women were alone.
"That is the real mystery" replied
my friend. "The servants are not to
be for an instant suspected. They are
all females except the coachman, who
sleeps in the barn. All of them are
trusty people, who have been employed
by my mother and myself for years"
You are your mothers only heir"
suggested, after moments silence
81 am,' he replied. I" I am, through
my mothers death, rich. Her property
was vastly greater than supposed 1t
amounted to nearly quarter of mil
lion"
" Is 1t possible ?" exclaimed.
You now see, he continued, "why
l want you to go home with me. We
are in very melancholy state down
there. Poor Nelly is in u terribly ner-
vous condition over the affair. If it
wasn't for Jack Maddox, / hardly
know what 1 should do with her. He
amuses her, and endeavors to distract
her mind from the horrible occurrence
as much as possible. You are lawyer,
and can advise me about several matters
connected with my mothers estate. 1
have given up the Boston police as
bad job, and have secured the services
of very celebrated English detective
"a Sergeant Polhemus, who is going
down with me tonight. Don't refuse
me, Joe. Pack your valise, and meet
me on the Fall River boat at five o'clock.
Will you do it Y''
"I WILL" L exclaimed. OF course
will. L have been dying to come for
three months past"
True to my word, / appeared at five at
the place appointed. Moreton intoduced
me to Mr.. Polhemus, Sergeant Polhe-
mus, of Scotland Yard, who came on
board as the last bell was ringing. Poly
phemus would have been a more appro-
pirate name; for the sergeant had but
one eye, which he rolled about in very
comprehensive and alarming manner
He was short man, with sandy beard
and hair, and was slightly pockmarked.
Altogether he was not prepossessing and
in conversation was the very essence of
taciturnity.
Our trip to Boston was very unevent-
full. We arrived there at seven the next
morning, drove to the Albany depot,
and were at Wellesley before nine. 1t
was cloudless day, and the fragrance of
June roses was in the air as we entered
the grounds of Moreton's villa, and
walked up the winding path toward the
house. On the porch stood two persons.
One of these was Mr.. Jack Maddox the
other was Moreton's WIFE"
1t is difficult thing to convey to
Others one IS first impression of woman.
can only say that, as L first saw her
that morning, half screened by the
climbing vines which covered the porch,
and with the sunlight filtering down
upon her through the leaves, Mrs. More
ton formed most essential part of
very beautiful picture. She was dress
ed in deepest black, without ornament
of any description except the wedding
ring upon the third finger of the left
hand. Her hair was the yellowest of
yellow, turned into spun gold in the
inI, nd hor H. Of
marvellous clearness and softness. AS
we first caught sight of her, her arm
was raised to twine into place some way
ward tendril of the vine above her, and
thus the beautiful contour and exquisite
grace of her 1.-the young figure was dis
played. did not wonder at John More
toms infatuation, even at the age of
fifty.
Nelly!" he exclaimed, springing
forward as her eye met his.
In another moment he had her in his
arms, and her dark blue eyes frightened
with apparent happiness as she kissed
him again and again. Mr.. Jack Mad
dock locked on silently and cynically.
To this young man, even before L had
been introduced to him, took an i'm
mediate, unreasoning, and unconquera-
ble aversion. More intimate acquaint-
ance did not dispel this feeling, but rath-
er increased its intensity. He was
young man of perhaps twenty eight,
but his 6ldSe air, and the unmistakable
marks of dissipation in his otherwise
handsome face, made him look at least