The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-19

tie will keep our secret inviolate; for he is
under obligations to me of the highes,
character"
"My heart is wholly yours" wrote Jes.
sic, in reply.
"Shall heart and person longer be sepa.
rated!" answered Levering. "To.morrow
week, hear, your father will leave home
to be gone several days. This learn
from Philip. What better opportunity TO
pass from his protection to mine.
Two days elapsed, and then the maiden
wrote-"Let it be as you DESIRE"
Weak and foolish maiden! In that de.
cision how much was involved! Not the
happiness of day or year, but, it might
be, Of whole lifetime.
What Mr.. Carlton had said to Leverine
Of the principles Of his life was true. Both
were bad and very bad. He did not truly
love Jessie, for of that he was incapable
No man who lacks virtue can love a wo.
man truly. 1t is moral imposibility.
Levering had first turned his thoughts to
marriage because it was necessary. as he
said to himself, 10 form such an alliance.
He belonged to wealthy family, and, by
marrying into family of equal wealth
and standing, he would take proper care
Of the future. OF course, he must have a
beautiful and accomplished wife. In look
ing around him, no one struck the young
mans fancy so strongly as Jessie Carlton;
and after weighing all in favor and against
an alliance with her family, decided to
storm the citadel of her heart Handsome,
intelligent, and with good address, he
was not long in making the impression he
desired Jessie Cartoons young heart was
quickly won.
Philip, servant in the family of Mr..
Carlton, whom Levering had secured to
his interest, was informed of the intended
elopement, and employed TO give such aid
as his position would afford. Ofcourse. the
utmost secrecy was enjoined upon him;
and his faithfulness was sought to be Sc
cured by threats as well as promises. But
Philip found it hard to bear up alone un-
der secret of such great importance; he
wanted some one to share with him the
heavy burden. So, confdng in the dis
cretion Of another servant in the house. a
female, he dvulged to her, after first OBJ.
tanning her promise not to betray what he
was about to communicate, the fact Of Jes-
sie's intended flight.
On the night previous to the day on
which Mr.. Carlton was to leave home, he
sat up late engaged in writing. 1t was
past eleven o'clock, when there was light
tap at his door, which opened Immediately
and female servant glided in noselessly,
closing softly the door after her.
swell Hannah?" said he, in a voice of
inquiry, as she approached him, in a
somewhat agitated manner.
Hannah sunk into chair, so much dis
turbed, that it was some moments before
she could speak.
"Mr. Carlton" she at length said, "Oh
| have something dreadful to tell you"
"For heavens sake, Hannah, speak out
quickly, then! What has happened" ex-
claimed Mr.. Carlton, agitated in turn.
"Nothing has happened yet; but, if you
60 away tomorrow, it will happen. Oh,
sir, do not go away"
"Hannah, what is the meaning of this?
Speak out plainly at once"
"Nlss Jessie -
"Jessie! What of her!"
"She is going off with Mr. Levering."
"When? Where is she!" The father
was on his feet, and moving towards the
door. "Speak, girl"
"Oh, sir, don't be frightened" said
Hannah, sit isn't tonight. Miss Jessie is
in her room. | have only come to tell you
about it in time"
"Ah! thank you, my faithful Hannah" "
Mr.. Carlton spoke in calmer voice;
and, returning to the secretary where he
had been writing, sat down again.
"Now," he added, ''tell me all you know
about this matter.''
"All know" replied Hannah, 81 got
to-day from Philip. He told me that he
has been carrying letters from Mr.. Lever
ing TO Jessie and back again, for some
time, and that it is all arranged for her to
60 off with him just at daylight, the morn
ing after you leave home"
"Can it be possihlel Mad grill" ex-
claimed Mr.. Carlton, passionately. Sand
you are sure Of all this, Hannah?"
"Philip told me, and Pm afraid it is all
true" o.eut7la ha.s
Every well, Hannah. l thank you from
my heart for this act Of duty. You have
saved Jessie. it may be, from a life Of mis-
cry. Mr.. Levering is bad man, and il
she marries him, he will make her wretch
ed. Foolish, foolish girl! Could she moi
believe her fatherl" aG
After some further conference, the girl
left the room; and Mr.. Carlton, closing his
secretary, walked the floor for the space
Of an hour ere retiring. On the next day,
greatly to the surprise of Hannah, he LEFT
home atthe time previously appointed.
No sleep weighed down the eyelids oI
Jessie Carlton, during the night that sue.
ceeded. Through the long hours that in.
tervened from the time the family retired