The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-03-10

dlTtduy SdIu, was NY o""j oiiu nave III
ready disposed Of the money have received
for it,
sWillyou have the complaisancy TO tell US
in what manner you disposed ofii| said Mrs.
Draper.
q don't feel myself at liberty to TELL re-
piled Gertrude.
Surely said Charles Harleigh, speaking
for the first time, lids quitei immaterial what
its appropriation can neither prove nor dis
prove anything that regards the pencil CASE
There is another thing, however, said
Mrs. Draper, that is not quite so immaterial.
| think that GU will agree with me, that the
purloining of AN article worth eighteen dol
lars, is too grave an offence 10 go unpunish-
ed
sOb, madam said Gertrude, turning pale
can you possibly intend tosmake the matter
public?
why not said Mrs. Draper.
Because. however appearances may be a.
gainst me, am innocent. Spare me, aud
will labor for you, unremittingly, for months.
and even years to come, without any compen-
sation.'
Il don't choose replied Mrs. Draper, ito
be bribed into making myself shield for vice.
Charles, you will oblige me by taking the
necessary steps for her arrest
Pardon me, aunt he replied, If decline
obeying your request, as | am as well con-
WINGED of Miss Denham's innocence, as | am
of my own. Let the matter be thoroughly,
but privately investigated, and / have no
doubt but that her innocence will be made
manifest
Very we'll said Mrs. Draper, if you don't
feel disposed to oblige me, must find some
person that will. If Mr.. Draper was only at
home-but be won't be here for more than a
week. One thing, however, l am determin
ed on, and that is, not 10 give shelter another
night to one who has proved herself so unde-
serving Of The kindness she has so lavishinsly
received
j am ready to go at any moment said
Gertrude.
No doubt replied Hester. you would be
glad to give us the slip, but we prefer TO have
you suitably escorted
At this crisis, Mr.. Draper unexpectedly
entered upon the scene.
My dear Gertrude said he, as soon as he
had had time to observe her, what makes
YOU look so distressed and agitated 2
The kind manner in which Mr. Draper adj
dressed her. overcame what little frlnness she
had been able to assume, and burying her
hands. she gave way too paroxysm OF tears
as violent as uncomfortable.
What is the meaning Of this! = enquired
Mr.. Draper of his wife.
In reply. she gave him to understand that
Gertrude had taken the liberty to pawn Hes
ter's gold pencil case.
And did she do this said he, after you
had paid her her quarters salary. which J
handed you for that purpose
Il have not yet paid her, said Mrs. Draper,
''but that was no excuse
1t was, at least temptation he replied ;
'and il tempted TO guilt through your negli-
.ence. we should, think, deal leniently with
her.
1T was for her good that withheld it,
said Mrs. Draper. AT the close of the year,
it was my intention TO pay her the whole,
which would have been much better for her
than to have received il by degrees
Il think you will be sorry for what has
happened,' said Mr.. Draper, when tell you
she proves TO be onr relation
'0ur relalion!' said Mrs. Draper and Hes
ter, both at once.
Yes, | have ascertained that she is the
daughter of cousin, who was once as dear
10 me as an own sister. Her name, as you
have often heard me mention, was Harriet
Lee, and she married gentleman by The
name Of Elton, who afterwards, though did
not know the circumstance, had his name al
tered to Denham. at the request Of an uncle.
who promised, in return, TO make his will in
his nephew's favor. The uncle has, l find,
recently died, so that my cousin Gertrude, ii
she have no brother nor sister, may, at any
=. 49, Of
ty which is. al least, worth hundred thous-
aud dollars
1t was amusing to see the change which
this last announcement made in the deport-
ment Of Mrs. Draper and Hester. The Sc
we're and stern expression of Mrs. Diapers
counienance at once vanished, and in sub
dued whisper she began 10 express her regret
to Charles Harlcigh respecting the pencil
case, saying that, after all, she thought it bet
ter be passed over as lightly as possible. AS
for Gertrude, while the shadow of so degra-
ding crime hung over her, nothing had
power to cheer her. The dark picture which
the suggestions Of Mrs. Draper had Brought
up before her, was one which could admit nc
ray of sunshine.
i am not ofyour opinion said Charles
in reply to his aunt. Instead of passing II
over lightly, should, as / have already rec
commended, give it a thorough and patient In
vestig alton, as have no doubt, could all the
circum ,tances be laid bare. that they would
not only prove Miss Denham's innocence
but be an honor to her character
He was rewarded by siugle glance from
Gertrude, which told him how deeply she val
ued his good opinion. Mrs. Draper, who
noted all that passed with visilani eye, could
not, though the hundred thousand dollars
were glit,ering in the back ground, forbear
superciIlious toss of her head, while Hester
who was less guarded, was about to make
some remark which would have betrayed her
vexation, when CIementine entered with a
| pencil-sketch in her hand. which, having e.
icited the praise of her instructress, she wish
ed to exhibit. As she crossed the apart
ment. Charles imagined he saw the top of a
gold pencil case partly hidden by her fingers
| which were clasped over it, the remainder be-
ing passed beneath the sleeve of her dress -
Though the l;tlle girl resisted him, he Dire"
it from its hiding place, and finding that i
was marked with the initials of Hester's name
he quietly presented it to her.
| 'Clementine,' said Hester. in an angry
voice, how came you by this!'