THE TIMES, NEW BLOOM FlELli, PA., DECEMUEK 18, 1877.
THAT WOMAN'S SECRET.
OONTINtlEIi.
TWO days have elapBed since the oc
currence of the events last related.
Let us enter the work-room connected
with Messrs. Marsden & Miller's largo
dry-goods establishment on Broadway.
It Is six o'clock, and the girls, thirty
or forty in number, aro preparing to
leave. Among them Is Mara Bydney.
She Is In the act of putting on her shawl
ft smile upon her lips as she talkB light,
ly with f.ie forewoman, when a man's
face is thrust Into the open doorway ,and
a pair of handsome but sensual eyes for
a moment gleam on her and then disap
pear. The smile fndes from Mara's counte
nance; she grasps the forewoman's arm,
and says.
" Miss Davis, that wus the man of
whomT have told you ; who has so per
sistently followed me lately. Ills very
glance terrifies me! Do you know who
he is ?"
lie is Mr. Marsden's son, Ralph !"
replied the forewoman. " Beware of
him, Mara; if ever a heartless being
walked the earth ho is one."
"I can readily believe you," said the
girl, shuddering ; " his face tells his
character. Since the first time I saw
him, a week ago, I have been In con
stant fear of him ; he has followed me
in the street until I have almost resolved
to cull upon a policeman for protection.
Several times he has been on the point
of addressing me; but I have managed
to avoid him. And he is our employer's
son ?"
"Yes," replied Miss Davis, "and lie
is as heartless and depraved as his father
is noble and generous. He has no em
ployment; but lives upon old Mr. Mars
den's bounty; and the old gentleman
loves him too well to east him oft, in
spite of his dissipated habits."
When Mara Sydney descended to the
street she was relieved to find that
Kalph Marsden was not In sight. But
she had proceeded only a short distance
when she felt a light touch upon her
shoulder, and turning, found herself
face to face with her persecutor.
" Allow me to accompany you to your
destination," he said, walking by her
side and attempting to force her arm
through his.
" Leave me, bir !" she cried, in terror,
starting away from him ; but he grasped
her arm, saying:
" My dear young lady, I really cannot
consent to your walking alone, and un
protected after dark. It is not safe, I
assure you."
Mara's terror was so great that (she
trembled from head to foot. It was
dark, and the street they wero in was
almost deserted. She saw no one to
whom she could appeal for protection.
With an effort she again spoke and beg
ged him to leave her.
" Nay, my dear Miss Sydney for you
see I know your name I positively
must refuse to leave your side until I
have seen you safely home. And, by
Jove 1" he exclaimed, putting his arm
around her waist, "you look so lovely
that I really must have one kiss before
we proceed ; and he bent forward until
his face almost touched Mara's.
" At this moment a blow from a man's
arm felled him to the sidewalk, while
another arm received the fainting girl.
" Lie there, dog," exclaimed the new
oomer, "until you can learn the respect
due your mother's sex."
" I thank you for your kindness, sir,"
she said, rising to her feet ; " but I will
not trouble you further. I am quite able
to walk." .
" At least you will allow me to accom
pany you," the young man said.
Mara acquiesced and they left the store
into which he had taken her together.
I will not weary my reader with a re
cital of their entire conversation.
They were mutually pleased with each
other. The stranger gave his name as
Henry Oakley ; he was no other than
the young physician to whom the reader
has already been introduced.
"I hope," said Henry, " that the na
ture of your employment Is not such as
to bring you in frequent contact with
that scoundrel who was persecuting you
with his attentions this evening."
" I am a dressmaker in Messrs. Mars
den & Miller's establishment," Mara
replied. "The man from whom you
rescued me is Mr. Marsden's son. I
have been employed there nearly four
months; but I never saw him until
within a week. I suppose he will In
the future place himself in my way if I
remain there."
" Ralph Marsden Is an unprincipled
scoundrel," said Dr. Oakley. "I have
long known him by reputation, although
I never met him until to-night. If you
will allow me, Miss Sydney, I will ac
company you from your employers' to
your home every evening, and thus in
sure you against a repetition of to
night's adventure. I know I am a
stranger to you, but you can learn all
you wish to know of me from the- fore
woman, Miss DavlH,who Is my cousin.''
" Miss Davis your cousin I" Mara ex
claimed ; "she has been very good to
me ; I believe she Is the best friend I
have In the world."
"Then you will have confidence In
her word and will let me do as I pro
pose?" A moment after Henry Oakley had
left him, Halph Marsden aroso to his
feet. Looking after the young man he
shook his fist and muttered bitter curses;
but he was too cowardly to follow him
and risk the chances of hnolher blow
from that muscular arm.
" Curses on them both 1" he exclaim
ed aloud, " I'd sell my soul to be reveng
ed on that fellow and to possess that
girl "'
"You shall be gratified In both
wishes," said a voice behind him, and
turning sharply around he beheld ft
dark, heavily-bearded man at his side.
" Who are you ?" Marsden exclaimed
much startled.
" Ono who will assist you In accom
plishing what you wish, and at less ex
pense than the surrender of your soul.
Don't be afraid, I am not the 'old gen
tleman in black' for whom you have
perhaps mistaken me."
" Who are you, then, I again ask."
" Merely a mortal like yourself who
has motives of private revenge to grati
fy, and who is glad to find so willing a
coadjutor as yourself. We will work to
gether." " How do I know that I can trust
youi1" asked the young man, sus
piciously. " You can do as you please," the
stranger answered, coldly.
"Say no more," exclaimed Marsden,
Impetuously. "I will agree to what
ever you may propose, if by so doing I
can gain my purpose."
" Enough," the stranger said, " your
hand on it."
The two men shook hands, and then
the stranger continued
"Give me your address, and when
my plans are matured I will notify
you."
Ralph Marsden handed him adelieute
ly traced card.
"Do not be impatient," the stranger
said, " if you do not hear from me for
weeks, though perhaps I may be able to
send you some word in a few days. Rest
assured that whenever the proper time
has come you will he notified."
" I will follow your directions implic
itly," replied Marsden, "and now will
you give me your own name ?"
In reply, the stranger handed him a
card upon which ho read :
Major Geoiioe Heith, U. S. A.
Two weeks passed and Rodney Heith
was obliged to confess that he had not
made such progress In his suit with
Edith Bentley as he had expected. His
fascinations had won many a woman's
heart, and he had become perfectly con
fident of his power ; but despite his
every effort, Edith Rentley was no
nearer to him than when they first met.
He had expected to supplant Walter El
more with but little trouble, but he
found that although Edith was very
kind and friendly to himself, her heart
was still true to the young author. He
was aware that she often met Walter on
the street, and at balls and parties ; and
to these meetings he principally ascribed
his want of success.
" If we could put this fellow out of
the way," he said to the major, one Sat
urday morning while they were strolling
together down Broadway, " I could win
her. But while they see each other so
often I have no chance. I depend con
siderably upon my power of mesmerism
to gain her love; but while I can, In a
measure, attract her to me, I know that
Elmore's influence exercises so powerful
a counter-attraction, that until he Is re
moved I can do nothing."
" I expected you to cut him out at
once," said the major, with a short
laugh ; " yet here, after a fortnight you
are just where you commenced. Ha
ha 1 I have some difficulty in recogniz
ing in you the famous lady-killer of
London."
" I am as much surprised as you can
be at my poor success," replied the
young man, somewhat angrily; "but
Edith Bentley is not an ordinary girl,
and ordinary means cannot win her.
But of one thing I am certain, until El
more is removed, I have no chance of
success."
"And are you so willing to give up
our scheme as to let this trifling obsta
cle discourage you ?" asked the major
fixing a piercing, suspicious glance upon
the young man's face.
" Willing " Rodney Heith excluimed,
" I would never give it up. I must and
will win Edith Bentley, for "
"For what ?"
" For I love her passionately, and will
never resign her to another."
" You are resolved upon this point ?"
"lam."
"So much the better for our plan then;
there Is now no danger of your turning
back."
" Has there ever been any such dan
ger?" , '
" Perhaps not. I should hope not, at
all events, for you gain fur more if we
succeed than I do. In regard to this
young IHeratriir, I agree with you that
he must in some way be removed."
"Have you any plan In view?" in
quired Rodney.
" None ; but trust to mo for arranging
a method by which he can be prevented
from annoying you further. But," he
added, abruptly, " here wo are at the
Theater; suppose we go hi and secure
seats for to-night's performance. We
are not otherwise engnged ; and by Jove!
you need recreation, my boy, you're get
ting thin."
The two men entered the theater.
They were obliged to await their turn
at the box office, for a gentleman was
there selecting seats. He was chatting
familiarly with the ticket-seller.
" So these aro the best seats you can
give me for Monday night V he said.
" Yes," was the reply, " there has
been quite a rush for them, Monday be
ing the first night of the new play ; and
this is the best I can do for you. But,
had I known you were coming, Oakley,
I would have reserved a couple for
you."
"Oakley!" whispered the major to
Rodney ; "my boy, this Is Dr. Oakley,
the bosom friend of your rival, whom
we saw in the Union Square, you re
member." "Yes, I recognize him at once," re
plied the young man.
"Rodney, my boy," said the major,
when he purchased his tickets and left
the theater, "a brilliant thought hus oc
curred to me. I think I shall make a
profitable thing of this."
"Of what J"' inquired the young
man.
" Of the knowledge this little inter
view we have overheard has furnished
me. It shall serve me a good purpose."
"In what way?"
"I have told you of Ralph Marsden
and his passion for this sewing-girl ?"
"Yes."
" What I have learned will, I think,
enable me to put this girl In his power."
" In what way will anything we have
overheard assist you In doing this ?"
" I will explain later In the day, when
I have matured my plans. Ah I Rod
ney the memory of wrong inflicted
years ago Is as fresh as ever; and the
thought of revenge Is as delightful."
On the following Monday morning
Major Heith had an Interview with
Ralph Marsden. The two men wero
closeted together more than an hour, In
which time they arranged the details of
a plot suggested by the major and wil
lingly assented to by his unscrupulous
companion. What this scheme was the
progrees of our story will reveal.
" I can depend upon you ?" said Mars
den, bb they were about to part.
He scrutinized his companion's face
closely.
" If you doubt me, say so," exclaimed
the major, Impatiently ; "and we'll
throw up the plan."
"No," hastily, "I do not doubt you.
I merely asked a simple question."
" It was not the question so much, as
the manner in which it was put, with
which I find fault."
" Say no more, major; if I have of
fended you I crave pardon."
" Which I freely grant. Rest assured
Marsden, I have as strong reason as
yourself for desiring the success of this
plan of ours."
" Is your motive a secret ?" the young
man inquired, with some curiosity.
" Yes. Suffice it to say that I have
the strongest of motives a desire for
revenge revenge for wrongs inflicted
upon me many years ago."
" And you are still so bitter ?"
" Nothing but death could quench the
fire of my hatred, and but enough of
this. We will meet this evening at the
appointed time. Till then, ait rcvoir!"
" Good-bye, major ; I will be on
hand."
They separated.
" Mysterious man !" Marsden exclaim
ed, " I cannot understand him. But no
matter; if he assists me in gaining my
purpose he may keep his secrets till
doomsday for aught I care."
The major proceeded to the house of
Mrs. Van Dyke. He had made several
visits to that dwelling during the past
fortnight, and the slatternly servant had
became familiar with his face ; so when
she opened the door he was allowed to
enter without a word, the girl being sure
that her mistress would receive him.
" Ah, my dear Mrs. Van Dyke," the
major exclaimed, when that lady pre
sented herself, "charming as ever, I see.
The same lovely, bewitching creature,
who, in the duys of yore, won the heart
of the lute lamented Mr. Van Dyke!"
"Pshaw, major!" the woman cried
her fuce actually relaxing into the sem
blance of a smile, " why need you talk
such nonsense?"
" Nonsense ? You call the genuine,
irrepressible outpourings of a heart
wholly your own, nonsense? Cruel
Mrs. Van Dyke ! But as you will not he
agreeable, I suppose I must proceed to
business."
" You had better."
"At once, my dear lady. In the first
place, how does my charming daughter's
little love afTulr progress ?"
Mrs. Van Dyke sneered.
"Mara's? Tho young fellow is very
attentive. I think she likes him; I wish
she had never seen him; she's a dlfl'er
entglrl slnceshemade his acquaintance,
major; I'm disgusted with the whole
affair."
" With what, my dear Mrs. V ?"
" With their love-making and their
nonsense generally. I'm disgusted with
it!"
"Ha ha ha!" Tho mojor was
greatly amused. " Make allowance for
their youth, my dear lady you were
once young yourself. But," he added,
significantly, and in a different tone,
"you need not be troubled much longer
by these young people.Mrs. Van Dyke."
" What do you mean ?" she asked,
giving him a searching glance.
" I'll ' proceed to explain. They are
going to the theater to-night?"
" Yes he 1 to call for her at a quarter
to eight o'clock. How did you know ?"
"No matter; I'll explain that some
other time. Well, my dear lady, I pro
pose calling for her myself with a coach
at ft quarter past seven."
"And you think she will go with
you ?"
" I think she will if you arrange mat
ters as I direct."
" What do you wish me to do ?"
" I'll tell you in a few words. I shall,
as I have already said, call with a coach
at a quarter past seven o'clock this eve
nlng. I shall be accompanied by a
friend of mine who resembles Dr. Oak
ley in height and build, though not oth
erwise. This person will call at the
door for Miss Sydney. The coolness of
the weather will afford him an excuse
for muffling up his fuce so that his feat
ures cannot be seen. You, supposing
him to be Dr. Oakley, you understand,
will Inform tho young lady that he
awaits at tho door. She will go to him,
he will escort her to the carriage, she
will enter, and they will drive off."
"What then?"
" Your part will cease then."
" But where will the girl go?"
" It does not matter to you."
"But It docs matter to me," sharply
cried the woman.
" Have you so strong an affection for
this girl, Mrs. Van Dyke?" sneeringly.
" Perhaps not ; but I don't understand
this affair.'.'
" It is not necessary that you should
understand it."
" When will the girl return ?"
" Probably never."
" This is a serious matter, Major
Heith, the abduction of a young girl in
this manner."
" Really, madam," sneered the major,
" you aro become quite scrupulous."
" I don't want to get Into trouble."
" You will not get into trouble. You
will be supposed to have been deceived
by the resemblance of this friend of
mine to Dr. Oakley. No one will sus
pect you of complicity in the affair.
You cannot possibly be harmed."
" I can't spare the girl."
" I will make good any pecuniary loss
her departure may occasion you."
" If that is the case "
" If that is the case," mimicking her
tone. " My dear madam, do you think
I could have been so insane as to expect
any assistance from you without cash
payment therefor? No no; I am too
well acquainted with you to think of
such a thing. And now, Mrs. Van
Dyke, will you do what I ask ?"
" Yes."
" A sensible resolution."
"But what shall I say to the doctor
when he comes?"
" Simply say that a person whom you
supposed to be himself had already taken
the girl away. If he asks you in what
direction the carriage went, mislead
him. You are a smurt enough woman
to arrange that all right If you choose."
" I will do my best." '
"I shall expect it."
"Rut what am I to have for my ser
vices ?"
. " Will two huudred dollars satisfy
you?"
" You had better soy five hundred. I
am by no means anxious to part with
the girl."
" But If I were to say the word, you
would have to part ' with her whether
you wished it or not. Am I not her
parent?"
The woman gave a short, contemptu
ous laugh.
" Why do you laugh.Mrs. Van Dyke?"
the major inquired.
"You would have some difficulty in
proving your relationship, I fancy,"
was the reply.
" Perhaps ; but we will not waste
words upon the matter. As I have a
very easy banker, who don't grumble
if I sometimes overdraw my account,
the five hundred dollars are yours."
" Very well ; on those terms, I will do
as you wish."
Evening came at last, and with it a
severe storm. The rain poured In tor
rents, and tho wind arose until It became
almost a hurricane.
Mara had begun to fear that tho visit
to the theater would have to be postpon
ed, when the door-bell rang. Mrs. Van
Dyke answered the summons. A mo
ment later she entered Mara's room, and
announced that the doctor was at the
door awaiting her.
The young girl could not help think
ing it singular that he remained outside;
but she gave the matter a passing
thought only, and hastened her prepa
rations, not wishing to keep him wait
ing In the storm.
In a few moments she was ready,
hastened to tho door, took the arm of
the man who stood upon the steps, and
was escorted to the carriage.
She entered the carriage and was fol
lowed by her companion.
The driver, immediately gave rein to
his horses, and they proceeded at a rapid
pace toward Broadway.
Mara perceived, to her surprise, that
there was another In tho coach beside
herself and the supposed doctor.
Turning to the latter individual, for
an explanation, she saw to her horror,
the evil face of Ralph Marsden 1 She
would have cried out, but a handker
chief, saturated with chloroform, was
pressed to her face, and she became in
seusible. "So far, our plan has succeeded," said
Marsden.
"Everything has gone as well as we
could have desired," responded the ma
jor ; " and, now that you have the girl
what do you propose doing with
her?"
" First of all, I shall carry her to Per
ci vat's gaming-house."
" I know; but what then ?"
"I shall then ask her to be my wife,
and give her time for consideration of
the proposal."
"Ha! your wife! This does not suit
me, Marsden."
" Major, you aro dull ; the ceremony
will be performed by a particular friend
of mine, who has a wonderful talent for
personating the clergy."
" I see ; and if I can be of any assist
ance to you, do not fail to call upon
me."
"Thanks; and of what you have al
ready done, I will not be forgetful."
" It was as much to gratify my own
desire for revenge as for your sake ; still,
if you feel under any obligation, you
can, if you like, liquidate Mrs. Van
Dyke's little bill of five hundred dol
lars." "I will do It, major.".
The coach finally stopped in front ot a
brown stone mansion in Twentieth
street.
" Here we are at Jared Perclval's,"
Marsden announced.
Mara was still insensible.
Lifting her in his arms, Ralph Mars
den bade the major good-night, agreeing
to meet him on the morrow, and has
tened up the steps of the mansion.
He gave the door-bell a hasty pull.
The summons was insUintly answered
by a negro servant. Marsden entered
the house, and the door was closed be
hind him.
Ho had been observed by a woman, a
pale, wretched creature, who was pass
ing on the opposite side of the street as
he ascended the steps.
When she saw his face, the girl for
she was yet young, though terribly worn
and faded gave a start.
She paused, and watched his entrance'
into the house; then took her station
where she could see anyone who might
enter and leave the mansion ; and there
she stood, wuitlng and watching, regard
less of the furious storm that raged
around her.
That evening Walter Elmore was
seated before a glowing fire in his apart
ment, a book in his hand aud a cigar be
tween his Hps.
Arrayed in his dressing-robe and slip
pers, and seated in his favorite easy-chair
he was preparing to enjoy a comfortable
evening in solitude, when a knock
sounded on his door.
" Come in !" he cried.
Henry Oakley entered.
"My dear boy!" Elmore exclaimed
" what is the matter ? Your face is a
perfect picture of alarm and distress !
What has happened?"
"Walter," said Cakley. "you know I
expected to attend the theater in compa
ny with Miss Sydney this evening."
" Yes."
" At the appointed time I called at
her residence ; but what was my dismay
on learning that a marl whom they sup
posed to be myself had taken her away
in a coach fifteen minutes before."
" But how is it possible that any one
could have deceived her in this man
ner?" " Mrs. Van Dyke said that the man's
face was muffled so that she could not
see his features ; and that he did not
enter the house, but waited at the door.
He resembled me, ihe said, in size and
general appearance.''
"This is very strange'." Walter ex
claimed, " wha't are you going to do ?"
" I scarcely know; I am so disturbed
by what has occurred that I am incapa
ble of forming or arranging auy plan.
What do you advise ?" To be continued.