Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-12-24

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the splendid parors Of the wealthy merchant, for
she had been reared in Just such splendor, and was
scarce behind Emily Williams herself in education
and accomplishments.
She had that morning arrayed herself in her best
apparel, which, plain as 1t was, displayed her deli
cate and graceful form to advantage and the pleas
urabe excitement she felt had brought faint
tinge of color to her cheek adding much beauty to
her sweet face. Her manners, too, were as easy
and natural, although u1assuming, as if she never
moved in any other sphere and John Williams in
discovering that she was " deuced intelligent and
perfectly lovely" almost forgot the fact of her be-
ing sewing girl.
I Early in the evening Renwick came in. His
surprise at finding Catherine Brainard Emilys
guest, was manifest enough in his looks to the for
mer though it escaped the observation of the latter
He was embarrassed and confused; and after sit
ting few moments in uncomfortable restraint, he
pleaded an urgent engagement and left,
| Catherine had left word at home for her cousin
to call for her at eight o'clock. Accordingly at
o'clock Robert was ushered in, surprised to find
Catherine enjoying herself in the paror instead of
toiling at her needle. He was introduced to Emf
y and her brother, but the latter had met him be-
fore and knew him to be a talented student of law,
although his acquaintance with him was but slight.
Emily seemed to have an unusual flow of spirits
upon this OCCASION As her brother expressed it,
she was " as merry and playful as kitten"
She laughed and chated with Robert Jordan;
played and sang for him until he caught the spirit
of her vivacity, and became much at home and
familiar as if he had been among old acquaintance
es.
To finish the amusements Of the evening she set
her brother to playing the piano, and wazed with
Catherine until she giddy.
1t had been long time since the cousins had
passed an evening Of so much delight, and so fleet
ly did the time pass that they were both astonished
to hear the clock strike eleven, when they scarce
thought it nine, When they took leave, Emily
accompanied Catherine to the door, and bidding
her good night with kiss, slipped purse into her
hand, and gded back into the ROOM before the
grateful girl had time either to refuse the gift, or
utter her thanks.
As soon as they were out Of the house, Gather
inc burst into tears. Robert understood her emo
ton and did not undertake to check it. BY the
time they had walked square or two, however,
she became composed, and commenced a CONVEX
| sation with her cousin upon the incidents of the
day, in the course Of which she remarked
"Emily is sweet girl, cousin"
$50 have been thinking" he returned.
, "Whot pity that she is going to marry Rem
/, wick
"What z" exclaimed Robert abruptly
"She is to be married to Rcnwck, in April"
"By all that is good she shall notw calculated
! the young man in an agitated tone.
"Why cousin, are you demented? what arc you
D saying p asked Catherine, astonshed at his emo
e ton.
"Pm foolish" rejoined the cousin, recovering
HIMSELF "but it shocked to hear of so fine girl
being sacrificed to villain. But are you sure you
have been rightly informed? ~
Z" had it from her own lips" said Catherine =
" she has engaged me to commence making some
j OF the wedding garments"
Robert made no further remark, but walked the
e rest of the way in thoughtful silence. When they
arrived at their humble home they found Mrs Brai-
nard uneasy on account OF their long absence.-
They gave the old lady an account of what had
lnr
found it to contain fifty dollars instead of fifty cents
, for which she had bargained to do the days sew
ing.
1t was with different feelings that tue little party
sought their pillows that night from those which
, had oppressed their hearts for many nights prey-
ous A brighter day was dawning
A few days after the incident, above related,
o George Renwck was sitting in his countng-room,
when his lawyer entered with an ominous elonga-
r ton of countenance, and after brief salutation
: said
. 81 have Just got wind of an affair, Mr. Renwick,
5 that will give us some trouble"
n "What is that? ~ asked Renwick, calmly putting
i his cigar
n "The widow Brainord is in The field again."
DWELL if size is fool enough tor. wye the old suit,
# she VIII get her li"sors burned again. A few dol
lars transferred from my pocket ours in the way
of fees, will be the amount of the trouble, l sup
poseeh? squire; isn't that the state of the case -
(, :" rather fear the business is more serious this
e time," returned the attorney.
s Renwick slightly changed color, but affecting
c unconcern, calmly returned;-
: "Well, let it come; SO that you can keep it of
till after the first of April, Pm content to bear the
1t brunt."
e Unfortunately, it is not altogether civil suit
: and can't be put off That young devil of Jor-
|, dan, her nephew, is making criminal case of it.,
e and the issue must come at the March term"
h "Crminal case March term what do you
$ mean: z"
l. I" mean," answered the lawyer bluntly, {" that
= young Jordan, as willy as fox and as keen as a
# bloodhound, is moving heaven and earth, to indct
y you for swndling, forgery, and perjury"
= Renwlck set his teeth hard together and seemed
J. scarcely able to breathe for a moment then with
passionate energy opened his desk, and taking out
l. a roll CT bank bills amounting 10 five hundred dol
lars, he placed them in the hands Of the attorney,
S exclaimng between his clenched teeth
n "There, sir, crush the scoundrel crush him !!
d and will be your debtor for double that sum"
n "That will be no easy matter" returned the at
1t torney, he coolly fobbed the fee. HIS shrewd-
c ness and energy are amazing. 1t beats all, sir,
/ how he has managed to bring about this business,
- so quietly and effectively. I'll do my best, howev-
j. er, depend upon that" And the lawyer abruptly
C withdrew, leaving Renwick with fearful forebod-
If ing of impending ruin his heart. The fear that
It his vllainy would be unmasked, his wealth torn
from him and his marriage with Emily Williams
l. prevented, filled him with almost insupportable ag
l. ony He had all along been preyed upon by a
l. guilty conscience. The wan, hafstarved faces of
h the wife and child OF his benefdctof, whom he had
robbed and beggared had long haunted him with
d startling terror driving rest from his pillow and
1t peace from his breastbut this last dread of being
is convicted of forgery, and perhaps doomed to fell
ID on's term in the States prison, was distractng.
Is He assumed as much fortitude as he could under
If the circumstances, and taking an early opportunity
is to his betrothed, urged immediate marriage
re offering as excuse for his impatience that bu-
/. siness would compel him to go to Europe in the
spring, and he wished to take Emily with him. But
J. Emily, whose feelings towards him had lately un-
is dergone a considerable change frankly informed
D. him that she feared her affections were not firmly