The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-08-30
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THE MERCHANTS WIFE.
Il Thrilling Sketch, founded on Fact.
BY AN ENGLISH PHYSICIAN
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A loud knock at the street door an
nounced the return of Mr.. Markham
that knock seemed to strike on Emma's
heart. She sprang from her seat, ex-
claiming
Glide me-hide me! / cannot see
him. No, no. Oh, George, kill mel
cannot meet my husbands eyes. Oh,
God--oh, Godl what was /, and what
am now w
eco to yeur chamber, Emma, y cried
George, and recover yourself. Quick
oh, ay! IL will make some excuse
for you. God help us, Emma; we have
erred, but, oh for the love of peace,
happiness and life, compose yourself"
aHark-hark w cried Emma, "I hear
his foot upon the stairs. He comes to
upbraid me with my guilt. Oh, how
shall | meet his eyew
"For Heavens sake CO." exclaimed
George: "Emma, if you would save
bloodshed, if you would avert destruc-
tion from all you hold dear and sacred,
go now, and do not see your husband
until you can command your feelings"
"Yes, yes, | am going" she gasped
historically. 81 am guilty and must
fy I am going"
With an unsteady step she crossed
the room, and passed out at an opposite
door to that at which Mr.. Markham was
upon the point of entering. Scarcely
had the last flutter of her garments left
the sight of George, when Mr.. Mark
ham, followed by Colleti, entered the
room.
"What p said the merchant, call
alone. George? Well, now, that is too
bad of Emma.
"She-she, that is, sir, Mrs. Mark
ham is not very WE'LL" stammered
George
"Pm afraid she's delicate, remarked
Colleti
eYou are right, she is delicate," said
Mr.. Markham, who did not remark the
sneering tone in which CoIleti spoke.
;'You don't look well, MIR. Grant,"
said Colleti, casting one Of his strange
glances at George.
Not well. sir! | beg your pardon,
am very we'll" replied George.
He is pale" said Mr. Markham
"Come. now, confess, George; Emma
has been persuading you TO stay in
London, and you are agitated by the
passion OF love"
"Lovew echoed George.
''Yes: do yon think me so blind or
stupid that cannot guess your situa-
tionin
MY situation" gasped George, the
color forsaking his very lips, as he gazed
in surprise at Mr. Markham, who imme-
diately added
Yes. to be sure Come, now, George,
make clean breast"
George groaned.
';You have left your heart with some
Dutch Venus at Hamburg. eh, George %
Left my heart, sirm
"Why, what's the matter with You ?
You can do nothing but repeat my
words. Really you look i'll, George"
"Perhaps," said Colleti. "Mr. Grant
has some secret on his mind of fearful
importance, and stray word of yours,
Mr. Markham, may have touched closer
than you Think
George was saved from the necessity
of a reply to this sarcastic speech, by the
sudden entrance of Emma by the door
through which sne had passed from the
room. She was pale, but composed; and
her voice was firm and Gnbrcken, as she
said
"I trust have kept no one waiting"
"My DEAR" said Mr.. Markham. "Col-
lett has come to apologize TO you for any
unintentional offence he may have
given you."
sYes,n said Colleti with a horrible
leer, aT most humbly apologize"
"I am willing to accept Mr.. Collects
apologies" said Emma coldiy, but with
firmness.
"What unheard of condescension,0 p
cried Colleti, giving his features hor-
rible twist
aWell, now" exclaimed Mr.. Mark
ham, as that's all settled, let US go to
.dinner.n
Colleti Immediately rose, and taking
two gigantic strides across the room,
offered his arm to Emma to escort her
to the dining room.
There was an insolent familiarity in
MS nlaHHSF, WHicH InddS ELHItid SHuu-
der, at the same time that it aroused
her Indignation; but she had lost the
one safeguard against impertinence.-
The high prerogative of virtue was no
longer hers, and she dared not refuse
the arm Of Colleti, for his words had
been significant of an awful meaning,
and sickness of the heart came over
Emma at the extreme possibility of
Colleti, by some mysterious means,
being acquainted with her guilt.
MT. Markham was in high spirits
during the dinner, and Colleti piled the
wine, and took fiendish pleasure in
turning the conversation always upon
George Grant and the supposed reasons
he might have for remaining in London
or leaving it. The longest day, how
ever, will have an end, and TO the great
relief of Emma, the hour of rest came
at last. @ a
Mr.. Markham attributed her subdued
and nervous manner to him to i'll health,
and was unremitting in kind attentions
to her, which, Of course, TO mind con-