The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-08-30

MIR. Markham, finding Emma IN a
deep sleep when he rose, would not
disturb her; but leaving orders to say
that he was gone TO his counting-room
and would not be back till dinner time,
he left the house full of regret at the
apparently delicate state of his wife's
health.
1t was nearly eleven o'clock when
Emma awoke; and having summoned
her maid, sheslearnt the message that
Mr.. Markham had left. 1t was relief
to her to find that he had gone, and
that she had the day before her to de-
eide upon some course of action.
e Mary said Emma to her maid,
who was assisting her to dress, let me
be denied to all visitors this morning.n
"rm sure, madam, that will seem
very odd," replied the maid pertly.
Emma looked at the girl in surprise,
for she had always been remarkable for
the excessive humility of her manner,
and for the submissiveness with which
she spoke.
"Mary," said Emma, "what pos
sesses you to answer me in so strange a
manner?n
ooh! only thought it odd" replied
the girl.
"Odd, Mary?"
ayes, madam; | know master don't
like to have his friends sent from the
door,"
"What do you meanw said Emma.
"Perhaps what | mean is secret"
said the girl pertly.
GA secret, Mary w
dyes, madam; may not l have a
secret as well as my betters, if so be
they is my betters 2"
Emma was silent; for moment the
dreadful suspicion crossed her mind
that she was in the power of the girl.
Oh, what a terrible thing is guilt =
Emma trembled before her own SER
want servant that she had taken from
poverty and want, and treated kindly;
now she shook like an aspen leaf, as
she said in low, choking accents
Mary, explain yourself fully. You
wish to do so or you would have said
nothing. Go. on, girl. Say all you
know.n
"Then know all, madam"
All-allp g..-s -zss
"Oh! you may trust me. Mister
Grant is a very handsome young man,
to be sure, though | do pity my poor
master"
"Cease-cease, grip cried Emma ;
"another word, and-aad--l will. kill
you. How dare you? Leave my sight
instantly. Is it for you to-to-yet stay
| have been kind to yon-oh, God you
will not, cannot betray me. You see,
Mary, the consequences of guilt | was
yesterday your mistress;I am now your
suppliant."
Emma dropped her head on the dress
ing-table, and wept bitterly.
AT am sure" said the girl, az don't
want TO betray nobody-not | only |
don't like to know things and not be
trusted. You may have as many lovers
as you please. Pm sure, for all | care"
@Peace, girl-peace," said Emma
g Listen to me; in a moment of weak
ness, when Heaven surely forgot and
deserted me, | sinned. The weakness
is past; life of bitter repentance shall
henceforward be my lot. will never
see George Grant again-never.o
stOh as to that" replied Mary, "Fm
sure I would not think of such thing
Now. there's Mr.. Colleti."
"Colleti, girl! what of him ~
"Fm quite sure he loves you.a
"He-he love! Name him not.
abhor that man. Attend to me now,
Mary, and do my bidding. You know
my awful secret, and you shall see my
repentance. Here is note for Mr..
Grant; take it, unopened as it is, and
seal it yourself after reading it. You
will see by it that renounce his sight
forever.o
"As You please, madam" said the
girl, taking the open note; "but am
sure you'll think better of it,,
aNo--no-nor cried Emma, "a
thousand times no. Go, Mary, at.once.
The address is on the note. Now go,
and let me feel that have at least
taken one step that is correct"
The girl left the room, and in the
course Of another half hour Emma, for
a change of scene, descended to the
drawing-room. She entered it without
perceiving that it was not empty, and
what was her horror when, turning
after closing the door, she beheld, lying
negligensly on sofa and leering at her
with his horrible eyes-Colletil
For moment she was too much par
alYzed with terror and amazement to
move, and before she could recover, to
her astonishment, he said in a tone OF
hideons and insolent familiarity
Emma, how are you this morning
And yet why do ask You are now
as you always are-divine." y
Emma replied not, but turned at once
to the door. and would have left the
room, but Colleti called out in q loud
aHoli! Leave me now, and you go at
the price Of your honor, your husbands
disgrace, and George Grants life !"
Emma stood as If suddenly turned to
q stone.
aohna sneered Colleti, Hyou win not
60; Ihase stated weighty reasons.n
9 Man m cried Emma, 4or devil II
van he ans,s What mean Won hy these