THE TIMES, NEW BLOOM EI ELD, PA., DECEM15EU 2f, 1877.
THAT WOMAN'S SECRET.
CONTINUED.
" WE wlLLc
YV Is It not
i consider the matter.
; possible that flic Is In
the power of that villain, Halph Mars
den V"
" Very possible and very probable :
nueli was my first thought."
" I fear It was Marsden who ahdueted
her. RUM we have not a particle of
proof that such Is the ease. Hut calm
yourself, Henry, or you will he fit for
nothing In the work hefore you. Do
you think It likely that this Mrs. Van
Dyke Is guilty of complicity In the
alTalr V"
" I think not yet It Is possible I do
not like the woman's looks."
" Is she related to Miss Sydney V"
"She Is her auntV"
" Then It Is not likely that she would
put the girl In that man's power."
"No. Walter," the young man 'ex
claimed, with a sudden hurst of feeling,
" I will be frank with you. In the few
short weeks I have known Mara Syd
ney I have learned to love her with the
whole strength of my being. My every
ambition Is centered In her; I care for
her above all else on earth. And now
that she has grown so dear to me can it
be that I am to lose her thus; that she
is to be taken from me and consigned to
Heaven alone knows what ; perhaps
death ,perhapB a fate worse than death !"
" Hope for the best, my dear Oakley,'"
said Walter, grasping his friend's hand ;
" and call on me for any assistance I can
possibly afford. "
" I thank you from my heart, Wal
ter," the young physician replied. "And
now advise me what to do. It Is crim
inal in me to be Idle a moment while
Mara is in, I know not what peril."
" The only thing you can do now,"
(Mid Elmore, " Is to place the matter in
the hands of the police, or make it
known to some reliable detective, ac
quainting him with your suspicions of
Marsden and all the particulars of the
abduction."
" I will do so once, Walter. There is
a, private detective on Eighth street,
Stoner by name, of whose skill I have
heard much. I will go to him instant
ly,'.' and the young physician left his
friend with a hurried farewell, and
hastened, half distracted, out into the
night and the storm.
Ralph Marsden was ushered by the
sorvant into a magnificently furnished
parlor. Seating himself before the open
tire-place, the Inanimate form of Mara
fitill in his arms, he addressed the
servant.
" Send Mr. Percival to me at once."
"Yes, sir."
For a few minutes the young man sat
steadily gazing Into Mara's pallid face
which rested on his arm.
" At last," he muttered, " she is
mine, and no human power can take
her from me."
A tall, dark, elegantly dressed man,
whose handsome face bore unmistakable
, marks ol dissipation, entered the room,
and sauntering with an easy grace to
where Mr. Marsden sat, extended his
hand, saying :
; " Itajph, my boy, how are V So this
is the girl of whom you spoke this
morning V
, " Yes, Jared ; is she not lovely V"
" By Jovel Bhe is," said the gambler,
tor such, ue was. " Marsden, you re a
lncky fellow."
He gazed down into Mara's innocent
face, with an expression of undisguised
admiration.
wen, my dear fellow," lie con-
tinued, " she will be safe here. She shall
have every luxury our bachelor's hall
oau afford, and I doubt ere long you
will succeed In winning lier undivided
affections ; and why should you not V
You are young, handsome wealthy
" No compliments, Terclval, I beg of
you," interposed Marsden, with a slight
laugh. " And now send for a servant to
take this young girl to her apartment."
Percival touched a bell, and a moment
later a man entered.
" Take this young lady to room No,
9," directed Jared Percival.
The servant manifested no surprise
he was too well trained but lifting the
girl In his arms bore her from the apart
ment.
" How Is our little biz in the other
part of the house V" asked Marsden. as
the man left the room.
" Flourishing, my dear Ralph, flour
ishing," was the reply ; " it's without
doubt the biggest game in the city just
now, thanks to my experience, and the
influence and cash of my esteemed
partner, Ralph Marsden, Esq. Suppose
you go and take a look at it."
" I believe I will, just to pass away
the time ; but don't fall to send for me
as soon as the girl recovers conscious
ness." " I will do so."
Marsden proceeded to an elegantly
furnished room situated In the rear of
the house, which was fitted up in the
most expensive style as a faro bank.
This was the "biz" which he referred to
n his conversation with Percival, and
of which he was one of the proprietors.
It was crowded with men, most of them
evidently belonging to the upper walks
of New York society. As ho passed
through the room Marsden was famil
iarly greeted on every Bide; but his
mind evidently was elsewhere as he
talked but little. He stepped to a side
board and drank heavily of brandy ;
then stood anxiously and uneasily await
ing the summons which ho momentari
ly expected. Presently a servant ap
proached him.
"Mr. Percival desires to see you,
sir."
Marsden hastened to the drawing
room where Jared Percival awaited
lilm.
"The girl has recovered conscious
ness," Terclval said, as he entered.
"Where Is she V"
" John will conduct you to her," and
he motioned the servant to lead the
way.
The man preceded Marsden up the
thickly carpeted staircase to the second
floor. At the head of the stairs he
paused.
" Yonder is her room, sir," pointing to
a door.
" Very well," said Marsden, and he
slipped a bank note Into the man's
hand.
Uently opening the door, he found
himself in the presence of Mara Sydney.
She wus seated upon a sofa In u lux
uriously furnished apartment, her face
burled in her hands. As he entered she
started up and a cry escaped her lips.
" Do not fear, Mara," he sald( " I
would not harm you for the world."
"Villain, how came I hcrei1' the
girl exclaimed.
"You were brought by myself in a car
ringean hour ago."
" Ah, I see it all, now 1 I have been
shamefully deceived and entrapped !"
" Let my love bo my excuse," said
Marsden, approaching her.
"Your love 1" she exclaimed, with
scorn, as she shrank from him.
" Yes, Mara, my love, as strong and
true an affection as ever man felt."
" And you prove It by this outrage ?"
" Your coolness forced me to this ex
tremity." "Coldness! You basely insulted
me."
" If in the past my excessive love
rendered me forgetful of the right, rules
of etiquette, let my future devotion and
tender care prove my regret. 1 confess,
Mara, I did aot Injudiciously the other
evening. I now ask your pardon."
"Injudiciously I Yes; because you
revealed your true character to me."
"You wrong me."
"Release meat once, sir, from this
place I"
" Impossible."
"I will call for help."
" It will be useless ; there is no help
near."
" Merciful Heaven 1 Sir, what place is
this?"
"What you choose to make it; a
home where your every wish may be
gratified; a prison, if you insist upon
it."
" Oh I have you no pity V" exclaimed
the poor girl.
" Pity 1" cried the wily villain, chang
ing his tone. " Mara, you wrong me
deeply if you believe I would for a
moment think of harming you. I have
loved you truly and devotedly since I
first saw your face. But you scorned
my affection. Perhaps, as I have Bald,
my attentions to you were injudiciously
offered ; but, dear Mara, I was thought
less and Inconsiderate. The advances I
made prejudiced you against me; I saw
that unless I made some decisive move
you would be lost to me ; and I would
rather die than give you up. Sol brought
you here. Believe me, I love you pas-
sionately and mean you no harm."
" Then why have you brought me to
this place V" cried Mara, wildly.
" Simply to ask you one question."
"And that is "
" Will you be my wife ?"
"Your wife V"
" My wife."
" And it Is to ask me this that you
orougnt me uere r"
" Yes."
" Then you shall have your answer,
wmcn is nrmiy and decidedly, no. Now
sir, release me."
" By no means," coolly.
" You still detain meV"
" Most assuredly; I have not been to
all this trouble to secure you to let you
go so easily."
" And when will you release me ?"
" As soon, Mara, as you consent to
become my wife."
" Which I will never do."
" A few weeks of solitude hi this loom
will materially alter your views of the
matter, I fancy."
" Weeks ! Oh, you will not dare ! '
"Will I not?" sneeringly.
" I will throw myself from yonder
window before I will consent."
"You cannot," with a smile, "It is
barred."
'Help help!" cried Mara, In des
peration."
" You are wasting breath," Marsden
said. " There Is no help at hand."
"Heaven will not prosper such vil
lainy!" the girl exclaimed; "and I
will trust In it for relief!"
'As you like," Marsden said, with
a sneer.
" You will do well to set me free. My
friends will find me, and you will pay
dearly for this."
"I will risk it," replied the valluln.
But," he added, " I will waste no time
in idle talk. I will give you two weeks
In which to consider my proposition.
During that time you will remain in
this room ; and I trust reflection will
alter your resolution."
"it will not, Blr."
"For your sake I hope It will," re
turned Marsdeu, slgnflcantly ; "and
now I will leave you. You will, during
your stay here, be provided with what
ever you desire by mentioning your
wishes to the servant who will bring
you your meals. For a short time, fare
well. I shall pay you another visit to
morrow." He pressed, unseen by her, a secret
spring in the floor, and the door, which
had no lock on the inside, flew open, as
If by magic. He Wt the room and bolted
the door on the outside.
The fortitude which had sustained
Mara during the Interview now deserted
her, and, sinking Into a chair, she wept
bitterly for some time.
At last she arose and carefully exam
ined the doors and windows, but there
seemed no means of escape.
Presently a servant entered and in
quired if she wished any refreshments.
She replied In the negative, but en
deavored to move the man to compas
sion for her situation. But in vain.
The only answer she could obtain
was :
" That's not my business, Miss. I
can't do anything about It."
"Alas!" Mara murmured, when the
man had gone, " Heaven alone can help
me!" And sinking upon her knees,she
offered a fervent prayer for aid. She then
threw herself upon the bed, and despite
her surroundings and her consciousness
of peril, her weariness overcame her,
and she sank Into slumber.
" Ah !" Ralph Marsden exclaimed, as
the door of the gaming-house closed be
hind him, " I have her In my power at
last, and it will be my fault if she es
capes in e. Heavens! what a Btorin!"
drawing the collar of his great coat close
ly about his neck. " I'll lose no time
getting to a place of shelter. Ha ! What
is this '( A woman V"
Yes, a woman ; the same who had
seen him enter Jared Percival's. She
approached him, and touched his arm
The fitful light of a street-lamp illu
mined her feau.tures ; and Ralph Mars
den suddenly recoiled.
" Laura !" he exclaimed, with a bitter
oath.
Not once during Marsden stay In
Jared Percival's house, "had this woman,
standing there in the pelting storm, re
moved her eyes from the building. Re
gardless of all, save the one idea which
filled her soul, she had stood waiting In
the tempest for Marsden.
This woman had, evidently, once pos
sessed great beauty ; but it was almost
gone now. Her face was pale and
emaciated, her eyes deeply sunk In their
sockets, her form reduced to a mere
shadow of what it once had been. Lines
which, with Bad eloquence, told of
her misery Indeed, impressed upon her
brow. And yet this woman had scarce
ly passed her twenty-fifth year. She
was thinly clad, and shivered, as the
chilling wind swept past her. Yet,
though drenched with rain and be
numbed with cold, she watched and
waited until Marsden stood by her side
and uttered her name, coupling it with
an oath.
" Ralph Marsden 1" she cried, In tones
ef hopeless misery.
"Forgive me,Laura, for those words,"
he said, " but you startled me strangely
You are but the ghost of your former
self, and for a moment I ha ha ! I
almost thought you were a spirit."
" Oo on, Ralph Marsden," bitterly,
" those were not the nrst oatns 1 ever
heard from your lips, and they do not
wring my heart as they once did. I am
past that."
" You are looking wretchedly ; what
alls you y"
" I am but reaping the harvest I sowed
long years ago."
" Pshaw !" he exclaimed, emphatical
ly; always harping on the old string.
But I can't stand here in the rain. Have
you anything to say to me V"
" I have ; something of great im
portance." " Then, follow me ;" and he strode on
until he reached the next corner, where,
under the shelter of an awning, he con
fronted her.
" What brings you out to-night y" he
asked, harshly.
" I earn a scanty living by sewing ;
to-night I took home some work to a
lady in this street ; on my way home I
saw you."
"You are miserably poor, Laurn, I
see."
" No matter ; my welfare Is nothing
to you, Ralph Marsden ; what little I
have I earn honestly."
' I will assist you."
"Assist me No; I'd sooner dlo of
starvation In my miserable home than
accept one favor from you."
"Indeed!" sneeringly; "you have
accepted them In the past."
" Before I knew you to be a heartless
villain. Then I was happy In the belief
that I had a wife's claim to what I re
ceived. But I was long since unde
ceived." " Well, If you do not want help, for
what purpose have you addressed
mey"
" I saw you enter that house Jared
Percival's."
" Well ?"
" You bore in your arms an Insensible
woman."
" Well y" Marsden repeated.
" It was for no good purpose that you
took her to that place. Oh, Ralph Mars
den, If you ever cared for me (and once,
I know, you loved me, though that was
long ago), release her from' that accursed
house."
" You rave, Laura."
" Oh my knees, Ralph, I beg this one
boon I" and the wretched girl sank at
his feet nid grasped his hands In hers.
" Laura," he said, raising her up,
" this is folly."
"Oh, Ralph, by your hopes of hap
piness In ibis world and In the next, I
beg you to spare this girl the suffering
which I have endured."
"My happiness in this world is se
cured," he replied, coldly ; " and I do
not trouble myself about the next."
" There will come an hour, your last
on earth, when you must think of the
future ; and you will be spared a bitter
pang if you have not this crime upon
your conscience."
"Laura, It Is useless to prolong this
Interview."
" Oh, do not say so, Ralph ; you sure
ly will not doom this poor creature to a
fate far worse than death !"
" Have you done y" coldly.
" Oh, Ralph, say that you will free
her, and I will freely, gladly forgive
your baseness to myself, and will pray
for you night and morning."
" You will forgive me !" with a bitter,
mocking laugh. "Olrl, I want neither
your forgiveness nor your prayers. I
can't wait here any longer. If you
want money, say so; If not, go your
way, and I will go mine ; and I sincere
ly hope we shall never meet again."
" Oh I false villain !" the woman ex
claimed, with sudden energy; "why
does not Heaven, In just wrath, strike
you down, and rid the earth of one
whose presence on its surface is pollu
tion!"
" I care as little for your curses as for
your blessings," said Marsden. " But,"
with a sudden suspicion, " what do you
know of this girl, in whom you seem so
Interested ?"
" Nothing, save that she Is a woman ;
for this reason alone have I Interceded
In her behalf."
"No Intercession can save her. Per
cival Is faithful, and will consider my
Interests now, as he has In the past. In
two weeks' time, Laura, two short
weeks, this girl will be my wife ; I Lave
given her that time to consider my pro
posal of marriage."
"Your wife!"
" Yes married by a particular friend
of mine."
" Oh ! false villain !"
" Laura, you have said enough, I
warn you not to go too far with me."
" Coward ! you threaten V"
" I do not care to be thus addressed by
such a thing as you an outcast from
society ; or, Indeed to be seen much
longer In your company ; so we had bet
ter part now."
"My God!" the girl exclaimed, " are
not these words unworthy of one who
calls himself a man ! He who made me
what I am by basest falsehood and
treachery, now taunts me with my
shame! Ah !" fiercely, " Ralph Mars
den, there is a power In New York
which could release the wretched worn
an In yonder house and expose your
vileness. And there are those on your
own high level of society to whom the
story of your double life would be a rev
elation, indeed."
Marsden's thoughts at once reverted
to the ludy to whom he was engaged ; a
pure young girl, whose hand he was
unworthy to touch. A sudden fear
seized him ; and, grasping Laura's arm
he exclaimed :
" Whut do you mean V Tell me, I
say ! Would you say aught to harm me
in the eyes of society ? If I thought
so-"
"Go on; but you need not; I see
murder In your eye; and I know that
but for the fear of the law, you would
silence me forever, lint nave no
fear ; I shall say nothing to harm you.'
"You had better not."
" Not because I fear you shall I re-
mln silent, but because (lfeoven alone
nows why or howl, a llnarerlnir rem.
nan t of tenderness toward you exists In
poor bosom still. Once more, I
;you, Ralph, will you release this
poor girl y
Once more I tell you I will not ; and,
Heaven !" with sudden fierceness. "If
you do not leave me now, without an
other word, 1 shall be strongly tempted
harm you."
He would have moved awnv. blither
mud detained him.
"Oh, Ralph!"
" Release me."
" Iilstcn to me."
He raised his hand, and with a milrk
blow felled her to the earth. And there
she lay motionless, while the tempest
igeu wim redoubled violence and the
rain swept In upon her. Marsden
hastened away, half fearing, half hoping
that she was dead; but not daring to
remain long enough to assure himself
whether such was the case. To be con-
tinued.
VEGETINE
WILL CURE RHEUMATISM.
Mr. AI.HKItT CROOK Kit. the well known
druggist and aputhecaiy, of Hiirlngvale, Me., al
ways advise every one trouliled with Kheiuna.
tl.im to try VEGETINE.
UK AD H19 STA TKMEST.
Sprlngvale. Ms., Out. 12. 1876.
Mr. It. 11. Stevens ! Dear Sir Fifteen
ago last fall I was taken sick with' Rheumatism,
was unable to move until the next April. From
that time until three vears a no this fall I suffered
everything with rheumatism. Sometimes there
woum ue weeks at a time that l could not step
one step; these attacks were quite olten. I suf
fered everything thai a man could, over three
years ago fast spring I commenced taking Vege
tlne ana followed It until 1 had taken seven bot-
unities; uave nan no riieumainun since that time
I always advise every one troubled with rheuma
tism to try Vegetine, and not sutler for years as I
have done. This statement is iiratuitoiis as far
as Mr. Hlevens Is concerned. V ours. Ike..
ALMKHT CROOKER.
Finn of A. Crouker & Co., Druggists and Apoth
ecaries.
VEGETINE
HAS ENTIHELY CURED ME 1
Boston, Oct. 1870.
Mr.It.lt. Btevens: Dear Sir Mv daughter.
after having asevere attack of Whooping Cough,
was eft In a feeble state of health. Itelna advis
ed by a friend she ti led the Vegetine, and after
using a lew nonies was itiuy restored to nealtn.
I have been a great sulTercr from Rheumatism.
I have taken several bottles of the Vegetlnefor
this complaint, and am happy to say It has entire
ly cured me. I have recommended the Vegetine
to others with the same good results. It Is agreat
cleanser and purifier of the blood; it is pleasant
to take and 1 can cheerfully recommend ft.
ti ames MUHSK, m Athens St.
minimalism Is a Disease of the Blood.
The blood In this disease. Is found to contain an
excess of Jthrtn. Vegetine acts by converting
the blood Irom Its diseased condition to a healthy
circulation. Vegetine regulates the bowels which
Is very Important In til's complaint. On bottle
of Vegetine will give relief, but to effect a per'
luniimii. cure ii must ue utKen reguiauy, ana may
take several bottles, especially In cases of long
standing. Vegetine is sold by all druggists. Try
It, and your verdict will be the same as that of
thousands before you, who say, ' I never found
so much relief as from the use of Vegetine,"
which Is composed exclusively of Barks, Roots
and Herbs.
"Vegetine," says a Boston physician, "has no
equal as a blood purl her. Hearing of Its many
wonderful cures, after all other remedies had
failed, I visited the laboratory and convinced
myself of Its genuine merit. It Is prepared from
harks, roots and herbs, each of which Is highly
effective, and they are compounded In such a
manner as to produce astunihiii results."
VEGETINE.
NOTHING EQUAL TO IT.
South Halem, Mass., Nov. 14. 1876.
Mr. H. R. Hlevens: Dear Sir I have been
troubled with Scrofuia, Canker and Liver Com-,
plaint for three years; nothing ever did me any
good until I commenced using the Vegetine. I
consider there is nothing equal to It for such
complaints. Can heartily recommend It to every
body. Vours truly,
MRS. LIZZIE M. PACKARD,
No. to Lagrange street, South Halem, Mass.
V K Ct K TIN K
Prepare
H. R. STEVENS, Boston, Mass.
Vegetine Is Soli by all Druggists.
December 4, 187 7 lm
VALUABLE STORE STAND
At 1'rivate Sale.
THE subscriber offers at private sale about
ONE ACRE OK GROUND, having thereoa
erected a LARGE HOCSE. with KITCHEN,
WA.HH HOUHE and STABLE, and a WELL of
good water near the door.
.There is a large STORE ROOM in the
building in which a store has been kept for a
number of years. The stand la a veiy desirable
one.
There Is also erected on the premises, another
HOUHE AND STABLE, which will be sold sep
arately or with the Htore Htand, to suit purchas
ers. These properties are located in a good com
munity, with Schools and Churches convenient.
Call on or address
8. L. HOLLENBAUGH.
Aug. 21. 77pd (Sandy UllL. Perry Co., Pa.
A
VALUABLE STORE STAND
AT PRIVATE SALE.
The subscriber will sell at private sale his
DWELLING 1101 88 AND STORK STAND
AND A LOT OF GROUND,
containing Four Acres more or less. There Is a
never (ailing Spring of Water and other Out
buildings on the pn m'ses.
M. The above property is located In the Tillage
of Centre. Perry county. Pa. The Store Stand Is
good. Post-Ottlce In the Store.
- Price Jln) payments easy. Possession
given lu April 1st. 1878.
G. MILLS.
November (1,1377.
HEN'S WEAR, if
Don't you want some cheap
roods 1
for Pants and Suits?
you do, don't fall to ex
amine the splendid assortment for sale by F.
MORTIMER. You ca a suit yourself in style and
price.
3 FLANNELS A splendid assortment of Flan
2 Puis, just opened by F. UOUTlUt.it.