THK TIMES, NEW BLOOM FIELD, 1'At, V AJJUAHY 1G, 1878. '4- THAT WOMAN'S SECRET. OONTim'EO. T WILL, ma'am. Listen." 1 The man lowered his voice, and for ten minutes spoke very earnestly ,hls rough, but not unpleasant face aglow with emotion. Ills words produced a wlartltng effect upon Mrs. Clayton. Her countenance underwent many changes, . her being was evidently stirred to Its uttermost depths. When he hnd fin. hcd, she uttered a low cry, ami clung o his arm for support. "Oh I If I had known this years ago, 4iow different my life might have been!" "If I could have found you I would iave told you long ago, ma'am," the man said. "I've spent months in marching for you ; but 'twas of no use, 1 couldn't get a trace of you. Long ago I came to the conclusion that you were dvad." " I have lived a very secluded life. It -is strange that we ever met." "It Is providential! Hut, ma'am, Iheie Is one more thing I wish to tell you. I believe that the author of all your misery still lives." " Lives !" the woman cried; " what do you mean, John Douglas Y he died 4ong years ago. You are mad !" " Ma'am, I am employed as coachman y Mr. F.dward Hentley, on the Fifth avenue. This gentleman has a guest who calls himself Mnjor Heilh, who Is iliis living image, except that he wears a lieavy beard. I can't help often think ing that they are one and the same. And 4he more I sec of the major the surer 1 eel." "An idle fancy ; it cannot be; And yet that note! The strange similarity of the handwriting to Lis ! My bruin whirls! Oh, tills is Impossible! And :vet " Bhe spoke the last few words below her breath. Then witli sudden impetu osity she cried : -" John Douglas, can you in some way procure me a sight of this man unknown to him V" " Yes, ma'am ; come with me.'' An hour later Mrs. Clayton and John Douglas made their exit from Edward Itentley's mansion together. ''Well, ma'am," said Douglas, "you've wen the man. Is it he V" "Yes; I would know that faceaniong a thousand. What can this mean V I uevor thought of questioning the fact of A;M death ; but ho certainly lives !" "I can't understand it, ma'am; but we'll find out all about it before long." " You will make what you have told me public, John Douglas V" "Of course I will, ma'am. For years 'it has been the greatest desire of my life to see your innocence established." " Thank Heaven I have lived to see tills day!" Mrs. Clayton exclaimed. " John Douglas," she added, " say noth ing of this to any one until you hear from me, which will be very soon." "Very well, ma'am. And now, be fore we part, can you say that you for give nie the great wrong I have done you!" Mrs. Oakley took his hand in hers, saying : " I do forgive you, willingly, freely. I have suffered too much to be harsh with you or any living creature." When Ralph Marsden left Alice leighton, he proceeded directly to Jared .Fercival's. On being admitted, he has tened at once to the room where he sup posed Mara Sydney to be confined. He opened the door and entered, but started thack in amazement at beholding Laura Odell, who rose to her feet as he entered the apartment, and confronted him with a calm demeanor. " Laura Odell !" he exclaimed ; " you Jiere ! What docs this mean V" ' It means," she said, quietly, " that H have saved one of my sex from shame .and misery such as has ruined my life." " What do you say, woman V" Mars ien cried, grasping her arm. " Tell me, as you value your life, what you have done. Where is the girl who occupied this apartment V" " Hal ph Marsden, I care not for your threats, though 1 know you to be capa ble of any crime. But I will tell you 4 hat the girl is beyond your reach." There was a dangerous light in Mars--den's eyes as the woman spoke, and his hands nervously opened and shut. " Tell me what you mean," he cried. " Curse you, have you dared " 1 liave uareu to release mat young .'Kill, and she is now with her friends. JVhl Ttalph Marsden, when, the other evening, you felled me to the earth with that hand which once careeseu me so tenderly, you thought me dead. But Dfeaven spared my life that through me a deed of mercy might be done. That deed, Ralph, I have been the humble means of accomplishing. I have saved a pure young girl from ruin ; and now would willingly, nay, gladly, end this wretched life." ' " Then, curse you you shall have your wish!" the man exclaimed with udden fury, drawing a stiletto from its case. " Receive your ? reward for the day' work." Almost blinded by rage, Marsden plunged the keen-edged wcaon into her bosom. Uttering alow cry shu'sank to the floor. Ralph Marsden recoiled in horror, as he saw the slight form quivering in the agonies of death. Terror took the place of rage, and he fell upon his knees by her side. " Laura !" he cried, bitterly. "Ralph," came from her dying lips, " I forgive you I" A thousand memories rushed in a suf focating torrent to his mind. He thought of their ilrst meeting in a little Long Island village, then Lauras happy home; of, a few months later, a mock marriage, followed by a year of happi ness; of a terrible interview between the wronged, insulted woman and him self, which ended with a separation. lie had tired of her, and sent her, heart-broken and despairing, out into the world. A few years had passed, and now she lay dying at his feet, and lie was her murderer. All the remorse that such a nature as his could feel lie experienced at that moment. But the instinct of self-preservation soon manifested itself. He must escape! With one more glance at t lie dying woman, he rushed from the room. Hastening down the stairs, he reached the street door just as a piercing cry of " Murder !" rang through the house; A servant, entering the apartment, as was his custom at that hour, with Ma ra 's noonday meal, had discovered the ghastly evidence of the terrible crime. With an oath Marsden flung open the door. But ids way to the street was blocked by four men, who at that mo ment ascended the steps. They were Mark Lelghton, Henry Oak ley, and two policemen. Again the cry " Murder !" and a ser vant, a boy, hastened down stuirs, pale with horror. "Oil, gentlemen!" lie exclaimed, " there's been a terrible murder done here, and," pointing to Ralph Marsden, " there stands the murderer !" " Hecure him, men!" Mark Lelghton exclaimed ; and Marsden was instantly seized by the two officers. "And now," said Mr. Lelghton, "let us see what all this means. A murder, did you say, boy V" " Yes, sir ; there's a strange lady up stairs, dead or dying. I don't know who she is, or how she came there; but Mr. Marsden Just left that room." " We are too late !" exclaimed Mark Leighton. " Oh if we had been but ten minutes earlier! But regrets are use less. Come witli me, Dr. Oakley, you may be able' to save this poor creature after all." " Oh, sir, nobody can do anything for her now I" the boy cried. " I knew the minute I saw her that she was past re lief. All the doctors in New York couldn't save her." " Let us waste no more time in idlo talk," Interrupted Mr. Lelghton ; " lead the way, boy." At this moment Jared Percival appear ed in the hall. " What means this intrusion V" he demanded, moving toward them with an oath and a threatening gesture. "A murder has been done in this house," Mr. Lelghton said. The gambler started slightly, but said. " Murder or no murder, you'd better leave the place." ' The less you say the better," inter rupted one of the policemen. "We've business with you, Jared. Are you such a fool that you dou't see the game's up?" Jared Percival made a sudden move ment. A moment later he would have suc ceeded lu effectually concealing all traces of the faro bank, so perfect were all the appliances of the place. But one of the officers anticipated his intention, and seized him with an iron grip, at the same time sounding a shrill whistle. A body of police rushed into the house. "In that door," directed the officer, pointing. The men rushed into the room, and made a descent upon the faro bank. A few moments later they again ap peared in the hall, with a few erest-ful len prisoners and a quantity of confisca- ted apparatus. While this was going on below, Mr, Lelghton and Dr. Oakley had sought the room where lay Laura Odell. As they entered the apartment the poor girl breathed her last. "Too late!" exclaimed Dr. Oakley, in a tone of bitter regret. " She is deud." " Poor creature! Who, or what could she have been," said Mr. Lelghton. " Perhaps this fellow Percival can in form us." Mark Leighton stepped to the head of the stairs and requested that Jared Per elvul might be allowed to come there for the purpose of identifying the body of the murdered girl. He was at once es corted to the apartment by a policeman, " Laura Odell I" he exclaimed, as his eyes fell upon the Imdy. "Is it possi. "You know her?" Mr. Lelghton asked. ' I once knew her," the man said ; "It was when she was the reputed wife of Ralph Marsden." . " Was she really his w lfoV" But the fellow suddenly became reti cent. " I guess I've said enough," he re marked, and refused to give any further information. " Poor girl I" exclaimed the old man, bending over her. "Her life has been heavily burdened with care and misery; but death, more merciful than man, has at last given her rest." Twenty minutes before the appointed time, Walter Elmore reached Pier . East River. But, early an he was, a man had, for half an hour previous to his arrival, been Impatiently puclng the wharf. This individual's face was muf fled In such a way as to almost entirely conceal ills features. But the night air was cold and biting, which might have accounted for this. As Waller approach ed, tills man advanced towards him, and asked: "Are you Mr. Elmore 1"' "lam," Walter replied. "And you are the person who sent nietlio note, requesting me to meet you here to night V" " Yes." " Your note gave me to understand that you possess a secret of Importance regarding my parentage." "It is true that I possess such a se cret." " And you will Impart it tome," Wat ter said, Ids voice trembling with emo. tton. " I will. 1 have a boat here; enter it with me. We will row to the Long Island shore. When there, you shall know It." A sudden suspicion of treachery en tered Walter's mind. " Why can you not tell me here?" lie asked. " For reasons satisfactory to myself," the stranger replied coldly. "It Is Im material to me whether you go or stay You are the one to be benefitted, not I.': "But," Walter persisted, "of what advantage will it be to me to go to Long Island with you?" " By doing so you will meet your purentB." "Cun this be true?" Walter exclaim ed. "If you doubt my word you need not accompany me ; but it Is true that on the opposite shore your parents await you." " Enough I" cried the young man, " I will accompany you." " Here is the boat." Walter entered the bout. The stranger unfastened the painter, seized the oars, and pulled out into the stream. The night was unusually durk, the sky be- ing overcast ; and Walter could scarcely see Ids companion, the man's dark form being so closely Identified with the gloom surrounding it. Walter sat si lently and Impatiently waiting her arri val at their destination, when suddenly the regular plushingof the ours ceased, and a crushing blow descended upon his head, not however, depriving him of his senses. He sprang to his feet, his com panion doing the same, and in un in stant the two men were engaged in a terrible struggle. " Ha!" Walter exclaimed, tearing the muffler from the man's face. " Major Helth !" At that instant the man having suc ceeded in disengaging one hand, dealt Elmore a blow on the head with the butt of a pistol. With a low moan the young man sank to the bottom of the boat. Major Helth lifted him in his arms and threw him as fur as possible from the boat into the dark waters, Then, seizing the oars, he rowed with fierce energy in the direction of the. New York shore. On this same evening, shortly after eight o'clock, Mrs. Clayton appeared at Dr. Oakley's office, as she had agreed to, " Good evening, madam," the doctor said, politely. " I expect a carriage at the door every moment ; it should have been hero before." " If we should be too late !" the wo. man exclaimed. " Compose yourself, madam, there is no occasion for such agltution." "Doctor Oakley!" cried Mrs. Clay ton, " if anything should happen him now, It would kill me. Since I saw you this morning, I have heard au import ant secret, a secret, the possession of which will probably enable me to ac quaint Walter Elmore with all he de sires to know regarding his parentage. "Is it possible." " Thank heaven it is true ! I have en deavored to see Walter to-day to tell him this ; have called at his hotel sev eral times, but he was absent. Oh, God grant that I meet him to-night! If we be too latel" " We have abundance of time, Mrs. Clayton; compose yourself. The car riage will be here directly." The minutes passed, and half-past eight arrived, but tho currlugo did not appear. "lean wait here no lonttcr!" Mrs. Clayton exclaimed, springing to her feet. " Iiet us ko at once." "Hark!" exclaimed tho doctor. "I hear the rattle of the wheels ; the coach is at the door." " I fear we shall he too late!" Mrs. Clayton exclaimed, as they hastened to the vehicle. " We have abundance of time, I think, madam," the doctor replied. But he had miscalculated the distance. The City Hall bell was striking nine when they arrived In sight of Pier No. . They descended from the car riage. "Oh, doctor, no one is there!" Mrs. Clayton exclaimed. " We are too lute- too latol" " Have courage," the doctor said. "Hal who Is this?" A man approached them. " Can you tell me where to find a doc tor?" he asked. " It's a matter that must be attended to at once, and I don't want to lose time. A gentleman has been nearly or quite murdered. I don't know, whether lie's alive or not. I want assistance right off." A terrible thought occurred instanta neously to both Mrs. Clayton and Hen ry Oakley. " I am a physician," the latter said. " Then come along with me, sir, and you may be nblo to savo a human life." "Goat once and I will accompany you," Mrs. Clayton said, in a low tone. " I fear I am almost certain It Is he." "I will go with you," Dr. Oakley said. " Lead the way." " You see, sir," the man explained, as they hastened along, " I live in a little cabin right by the water's edge, at the foot of street, where I keep a few boats which I let out by the hour. Tills evening u man, a suspicious-looking ous tomer, came to me, and wanted to hire a boat for a few moments. I let him have one, but. somehow I suspected that all wasn't right in fact, I was afruld he was going to make off with the boat- so when half an hour wns up I Just stepped out to see if he was coming 'Twas so dark that I couldn't sco any. thing of the boat; but I heard tho splushlng of oars. All of a sudden they stopped ; then I heard a heavy blow ; then the sound or voices, then a low cry, and a splash In the water, and then the noise of the oars again. I saw thnt something was wrong ; so I took one of my boats and rowed out to the place where, as near as I could Judge, the noise came from; and there I found a man clinging to a log, half stunned, his face covered with blood. He fainted dead away as I dragged him into my boat, and he's been Insensible ever since ; and I don't know but he's dead." "Could you identify the man who hired the boat of you?". Dr. Oakley asked. "I'm afraid I couldn't, sir. His fuco 'was all muffled up so that I couldn't sec a single feature in fact, it was that circumstance which made me suspicious of him in the first dace. If he'd came back with my boat I'd have secured him; but he didn't, and I don't suppose he will. But hero we are at my cabin." He knocked, and the door was opened by an elderly woman. Dr. Oakley and Mrs. Clayton entered. Their compan ion followed them, closing and locklDg the door, after which lie ushered them into an inner apartment. " Here's the gentleman," he said, in a low voice ;" but I'm afraid It's too late to do anything for him." They advanced into the room. A man lay, white and motionless upon the bed. Mrs. Clayton gave but one glance at his pale fuce and then fell upon her knees, murmuring a prayer to heaven for succor. The man who lay there so silently was Walter Elmore. "Do not give way to your emotion, madam," Dr. Oakley said. " Much de pends upon you. Do not unfit yourself for the task before you." " I will not," the lady said, rising to her feet; "but if you knew what I have suffered and endured for his dear sake, and with what terrible vividness it all comes back to me now, you would not blame me. Tell me, doctor, that he lives; that there is hope!" "Do not fear, madam," Dr. Oakley said. "He lives, but as yet I cannot tell what the consequences of the night's adventure muy be. A fever may attack him. Of lute lie has been much troubled in mind, and subject to severe headaches and the shock he has received to-night may euue a severe illness." "If so, my place, night and day, shall be by his side. He viuhI live now to know the truth. Tell me, dodctor, can he be removed to my home with safety?" "Yes, madam, presently," Henry Oakley replied. " You w ill keep what has happened to-night a secret for the present, sir, wilj you uot ?" Mrs. Clayton said, address ing the boatman. Continual next week. VEGETINE AN EXCELLENT MEDICINE. . , . Bprlngtleld, O,, Feb. 18.1877. Thl Is to certify that I have used Vegetlne, manufactured liy II. M. Htevens, Ronton, Mam., for Rheumatism and (jsneral prostration of I lie Nervous System, with good success. 1 recom mend Venn tine m an excellent medicine for such complaints. Yours Tory truly. m . 0. W. VANDKOIFT. Mr. Vandeglft, of the firm of Vandeglft ft lliinitinu. Is a well known business mini In this place, Iih vliifi ontt of the largest slur en In Burma held, Olilo. OUR MINISTER'S WIFE. Louisville, Ky Feb. IS, 11177. Mr. If. It. Rtovenn. Dear Hlr, Threw yearn ago I wan suffering ter ribly with Inflammatory Rheumatism, our mill iner wife advised me take Vegetlne. Alter Ink Inn one bottle, I wan entirely relieved. Thin year, feeling, a return of the disease, I again com menced taking II. and am henelltted greatly. It also greatly Improve my digestion. , Ifespeolfully, A"". A. BALLARD, 1011 Went Jollorson street. BAFB AND BURE. Mr. It. K. nteveun. In Wl vour Vesetine wan renmiun.iiild In met and, yielding to the pernuaslons of a friend, I consented to try Ft. At the time I wan suffering from general debility and nervoun prostration, n"i"" iii.mi ii vtiwui inn irregular nanus, I in wonderful strengthening and curative proper- the first dosei and under Ilk persistent line I rap idly recovered, gaining more than unual health and good feeling. Bin ie then I have nut hesita ted to give Vegetlne my most uii'iuallned Indorse ment an being a nare, sure and powerful agent In promoting health and restoring the wanted sys. tein to new life and energy. Vegetlne In the only medec ne I use, and an long an 1 live I never en -pcet to Mud a better. Yours truly. W. II. CLARK, law Monterey Street, Allegheny, Fenii. VEQETINE. The following letter from Ilev. O. W. Mann field, formerly pantorof the M. K. Church, Hyde Park, and at present settled In Lowell, must con vince every one alio reads his letter ol the won rlerful curative qualities of Vegetlne as a thor oiikIi cleanser mill pui liter of the blood. Hyde I'ark, Mass., Feb. 15,1870. Mil. 11. It. Htevenn. DearSIr, About ten yearn ago my health failed through the depleting effects of dynpepsla : nearly a year later I was attacked by typhoid fever lu Its wont fur in. It sell led lu my hack, and took the form of a large deep-seated abscess, which wns If, months in gal herlug. I had two surglual opera tions by the best skill In the State, but received no permanent cure. I suffered great pain at times, and I was constantly weakened by a pro fuse discharge. I also lost small pieces of bone at different times. Mn'lernran on thus about seven yearn, till May, 1Bi'4. when a friend recommended me to go to your ofllen. and talk with you of the virtue of Vegetlne. I did so. and by your kindness passed through your manufiuiiory, noting the Ingredi ents, cVc, by which your remedy Is produced. Ily what I faw and heard I gained some con"., deuce in Vcgetlne. I commenced taking It noon after, but felt worse from itseffectsi still I persevered and soon felt It was beuelll ting me In oilier respects. You I did not see the results I desired till I had taken it faithfully for a Utile more than a year, when Ihediniculty In the back was cured; and for nine months I have enjoved the best of health. I have lu that Mine gained twenty-live pounds of flesh, being heavier than ever before In my life, and I was never more able to perform labor than now. During the past few weeks 1 had scrofulous swelling aslargo as my Ilrst on another part of my body. I took Vegetine faithfully, and It removed It level with the suriace in a month. I think I should have been cured of my main trouhl sooner If J had taken larger doses, alter having become accustomed to Its effects. i,ct, your patrons troubled with scrofula or kid ney dlsenn understand that It takes time to cure chronic diseases; and, if they will patiently take Vauetlne, It will. In my Judgment, cure thetn. Willi ureiit oh Hat on J am. i 1 1 Yours very truly tllV. O. W. MANSFIELD. I'astor of the M. K, Church. I'repare H. K. STEVENS, Boston, Mass. Yegellne is Koll by all Druggists. January 1, 1X78, lm. THE N. Y. WEKKLY 1 1 Eli A LI). ONE DOLLAR A YEAH. The circulation of thin popular newspaper lias more than trebled during the past year. It con tains all the leading news contained In the Daily Herald, and Is arranged ill handy department. TIIF. fokkh;n NEWS embraces special uixpaiuhes from all quarters of the globe, together wiih uubiased, faithful and graphic pictures ot the great War In fcurupe. Un er the bead of AMERICAN NEWS are given the Telegraphic Dispatches of the week from all parts of the Uu Ion, This feature alone makes THE WEEKLY HERALD the most valuable uewspaper lu the world, as it Is the cheapest. Every week In given a faithful report of FOLK ICAL NEWB, embracing complete 4 comprehensive dispatches from Washington, Including full reports of the speeches of eminent politicians on the questions ol the hour. THK FARM DEPARTMENT of the Weekly Herald given the lastest an well an the most practical suggestion and discoveries re lating to the duties of the farmer, hints for rais ing Cattle, Poultry, Grains. Trees. Vegetables. fie, with suggestions for keeping buildings and farming utensils In repair. This Is supplemented by a well euited department, widely copied, un der be head of THE HOME. f lvlng recipes for practical disnei. bints for mak ng ciothlng and keeping up with the latest fash Ions at the lowest price. 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Papers publishing this prospectus without being authorized will nut necessarily receive an exchange-Address. . NEW YORK HERALD. Broadway Ann St., N. Y. OK FASHIONABLE CARD no two alike, with fcJ name. Inc. 3) Boiull. with name. Inc. post paid. Agents' out lit, lis-. OtO. 1. REED & CO.. Nassau, Ji.Y. '"'y CAL ASO SEE ME. The Subscriber lias opened a store opposite the Railroad Depot, at NEWPORT, where be is pie pared tosuptly OYSTE11S, OUOCEJUES, Tc, 1 At the lowest market price. A full stock oa baud. The patrouage of the public is soliciud. WM. lt'KES, Newport, Pa.
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