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

AS Hester left the room by one door, Ger
trude entered it by another, with her lace
flushed and breathing quick and short, as II
she had been walking very fast.
A woman entered the pawnbroker's shop
al the monet Hester arrived at the door,
she Immediately recognised as Mrs. Grover,
with whom Gertrude had boarded.
i hope said Mrs. Grover addressing MI
Hawkes., that you have not sold my silver
spoons yet, for l very Unexpectedly received
few dollars this evening, and have come TO
redeem Them
NO, have not sold them replied Mr..
Hawkes., though came near selling Them
this morning.
Did not young woman, by the name Of
Gertrude Denham. formerly board with you?,
enquired Hester Of Mrs. Grover.
Mrs. Grover answered in the affirmative.
sFor very particular reason said Heste-,
Il should like to know il she has lately paid
YOU any part of what she owes youP
sAnd for very particular reasons, replied
Mrs Grover, who recalled what Emma had
said when she gave the money 10 Gertrude,
4 had rather not TELL
Just as you please, but you may possibly
be obliged TO tell before long, Hester now
turned TO Mr. Hawkes., and enquired if a
Young woman did not call on him that morn
ing in faded mourning dress.
Mourning dresses are so common he re-
piled, that really cannot reccollect. Can
not you make your description little more
pratcular?'
THE person l allude 10 is somewhat tai
Ter than am, and has quite an air with her,
that some would call lady-like.'
i think DO reccollect such a person.
'And do you remember for what purpose
she called on you?'
Il do, distinctly
1T was, suspect, 10 sell or pledge some
article?
THAT is what persons generally call on me
for he replied.
MAY ask what the article wasp
Pardon me- he replied, but most per-
sons generally feel some delicacy as regards
such transactions, don't feel myself at liber-
ty TO TELL
i think know without being told said
Hester that it was Il gold pencil case
will YOU permit me 10 see it?'
Mr.. Haw les hesitated. q promised said
he, mot TO exhibit il 10 any persons inspec-
ton, ill the expiration olcight months, when
shall be at liberty t. sell il, ifnot redeemed
Il have reason 10 believe said Hester,
'illdl Tie DGlCll NdSC DClOueS ~ iiC.
Ifyou can prove it belongs TO you, and
will refund the five dollars advanced on it,,
shall certainly make no objections 10 re-
Il description ofthe pencil case that belongs
TO you, | can readily tell whether it is the one
in my possession
The one lost is marked with the initials
Of my pame.'
sAs you have never honored me with a
call before, am not certain that | recognize
YOU
tMy name, sir, is Hester Draper, and am
the daughter OF Mr.. William Draper, the
merchant
yes, know Mr.. Draper very well. The
pencil case is probably yours. then. for rec
ol!ect hat it is marked with the initials ii.
d. There can be no trouble, | think. for as
the Young woman has had hardly time 10
spend the money yet. it can be easily recov-
ercd.'
sShe has, have no doubt, parted with
every cent Of it, said Hester, 10 the wo-
man who was in here a few minutes ago.
who, as you will remember, said she had re-
ceived some money very unexpectedly this
evening, and who in a brazened faced man.
ner refused 10 tell me who paid ii 10 her.
Yes | recollect-but give yourself no
uneasiness-all slall be made right, | assure
you;'-and bowling very low, he retired 10 his
writing desk, which was in distant corner
OF the apartment where his attention appear
ed 10 be wholly absorbed in the contents Of
an open ledger.
When Hester reached home, she found her
mother in the drawing-room with Charles
Hareigh. who had just returned from q short
Journey.
Il have sent TO have our seamstress join
u.s. said she 10 her mother with a meaning
smile.
In few minutes Gertrude made her ap-
pearance. Charles rose al her enterance
and exchanged with her the compliments Of
the evening with n warmth and interest that
formed striking contrast 10 the cold greet
ing he had bestowed upon hester. The lat
ter, though extremely piqued, inwardly ex-
ulted in The thought that she Fad il in hel
power to take her revenge.
q wish 10 ask you a question: said she to
| Gertrude.
Gertrude raised her ewes with look that
implied proper degree of attention.
Did you not leave gold,pencil case ir
pledge at the pawnbroker's this morning!
said Hester.
A faint blush broke through the palenest
Of Gertrude's countenance as she replied she
did.
i thought that it would be impossible fol
her TO have the effrontery 10 deny it, said
Hester, 10 her mother. AS | suspected,
found that the pencil case which lost was ii
the the keeping Of Mr.. Hawkes.
is it possible said Gertrude, that you CAT
suspect that it was your pencil case Ipledg
ed?'
4 did suspect it, replied Hester, but my
suspicion now amounts 10 certainty. saw
you in Mr.. Hawkes. shop this morning, ano
he confessed 10 me that you left gold pencil
case marked with The initials ofmy name.'
How unfortunate coincidence said Ger
trude, my pencil case was marked H. d.
for Harriet Denham, which was my mother
name.'
Your assertion is of as little consequence
as it is easily made said Mrs. Draper.
The assertion of one poor and friendei
like myself said Gertrude, lis, suppose o
no consequence when opposed to Miss ORA
per's?'
'Why didn't you request Mr.. Hawkes. IL
let you lake the pencil case homeF said Mrs
Draper.
| Il did, but he would not let it go out OF hi
IN LII, k1oI 81