The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-02-01


or by reputation, but would endeavor
that day to learn what he could about
the gentleman, and before nightfall had
a promise of an introduction to him on
the following day.
He was informed that Theodore Darn
ley was junior partner in wholesale
cloth establishment, and was quite
wealthy. He had lately married rich
wldow-a Mrs. Vallee.
The introduction took place next day,
pleasant, social young man of about
twenty eight, full of vitality and the
picture of health. After few weeks
acquaintance Varnoe remarked about
the young merchants fine health and
observed:
81 presume that man of your ply
sique never even dreams of making his
will"
The young man gave perceptlble
start at these words, and while he gazed
curiously at the detective, remarked:
"What a singular coincidence, Mr..
Varnoel for only last night my wife
spoke about the same thing, only she
appeared to think the reverse of what
you do. She said it was never too early
to settle up our worldly affairs, that life
was full of snares and accidents, and
one could never tell when grim death
would appear; hence it was advisable
always to have our house in order"
"She made hers, she told me-" pur-
sued the young man, with smile, "and
gave me copy of it to read. The affec-
tionate creature has in it left everything
to me-"
Thereby proving her unselfish love
for you," observed Varnoe; but he add
ed, mentally 4" The shrewd Miss Mar
garet Vallee is not wrong in her surmise,
for the madame is evidently bent upon
the same purpose again."
He saw into her motive. In making
her own will in favor of her husband,
she shrewdly supposed that his would
be no less generous in its tenor.
The detective took dinner with the
Darnleys one day, and was introduced
to the lady. He confessed to himself
that she appeared as guileless as a child,
as Miss Vallee had remarked, and her
face appeared to him the reverse of what
he had expected to see in a woman
whom he regarded as wicked creature.
"She must be an admirable actress, il
guilty." thought he, and may tax our
ingenuity to the utmost, if we would
prove her what her sister-in-law sus-
pects."
A month went by, and Varnoe, who
managed to see Mr.. Darnley every day,
thought the gentleman did not look as
well as formerly, and made remark to
that effect one day.
"Oh, Pm all right enough" respond
ed he, "though the fact is, several of my
acquaintances have of late remarked
that did not have my usual color"
"Perhaps you have made your will
and it has had a bad effect on you," re-
marked Varnoe, in facetious manner.
CT did have my will drawn up, sure
enough" rejoined Darnley, laughing
"but do not thing it has affected me
any, as have not given it moment;
thought since. did it simply because
Mrs. Darnley seemed to consider 1t my
duty to do So"
Varnoe wrote note to Miss Margaret
requesting her to call at his office at any
hour during the day.
They met, and the young lady stated
that the vampire" Aurelia, was al
work again. Il have not yet discover
ed in what manner she operates" re
marked Margaret, with puzzled air
shut 1 can see by his appearance the
deadly work has begun. He will NEE
the fate my brother did, unless We
separate him from this accursed vam
pire."
81 think we can arrange that if i
becomes necessary" rejoined Varnoe
"I have plan that / think will pu
him on his guard"
The detective did not acquaint Mar
garet with the nature of his plan, bu
wrote the following note to Darnley:
"MR. THEODORE DARNLEY :-Of lat
L have noticed that your health is appar
emily not so robust as it has been, anC
this fact gives rise to suspicion one,
before entertained against Mrs. Vallee
now your wife. Her former husban,
failed in health after they had been mar
rien six months, and gradually sanl
into his grave. After his death 1t wa
! discovered that he had left all his prop