The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-09-06
a ggIgg1gD RARE
THE MERCHANTS WIFE,
A Thrilling Sketch, founded on Fact.
BY AN ENGLISH PHYSICIAN.
IGonelu

really convinced of the fruitlessness O
further persecution. Every minute thi
idea strengthened in her mind, and Z
feeling of inexpressible reliefcame ovel
her.
George she thought, ashall go for
ever! Then years of devotion TO my
husband may, in some measure, expiate
my deep SIM"
So absorbed was Emma in these re.
Elections, that she did not observe the
room door open, nor was she aware Of
the presence of any one, till the voice
of George Grant recalled her to her.
self by pronouncing her name.
Emma started, and hastily withdrew
the hand he would have clasped in his.
George" she said, "this is unkind
-ungenerous. Why, oh why, do you
come here! Why did you not act upon
the letter sent you"
"The letterw repeated George. II
have received no letter from you.
Emma"
"You-you are sure?"
:'As sure as that | exist"
"Then,a cried Emma, clasping her
hands with q despairing look, "we are
lost! My suspicious of my servant are
now changed into a certainty
"If,. said George. lyon mean the
girl who attends upon you, saw her in
earnest conversation with ColIetir
Emma shnddered and sank npon a
chair.
George" she said. "all is over-we
are lost--lost Colleii then. knows all. Y
But-but-he is man. gasped
George; he has some feeling"
s'No, no, he has no feeling" cried
Emma, he is a fienA in human shape
Hear me. George, feel convinced that
some dreadful calamity will overwhelm
Us all. and if viii be through the malice
of that man."
He dare not,H said George
Emlua shook her head
. Indeed he dale do any evil, George.
donbl not he is in possession of the
letter | wrote for your eye alone. That
would of itself be condemna tionn
Condemnation Emma -
Eyes, George by bitter experience.
we shall find that the ways If guilt are
tortuouS and intricate Tnai letter,
which, if faithfully delivered, might
have released ns both from, nlucif suffer-
ing. may now Prove our utter deStrnc-
ton"
This CoIleti,a cried Geor1e shall
not be the man Won have To fear. Be-
fore another hear elapSeS will see
him: will tax him with all he knows,
will wiring FROM him his intentions, and
] will dare him far very fear of personal
injury 10 utter so much as j word to
your prejudice"
Alas! alasm cried Emma "you do
not know the u4aa OF whmn Sou talk,
George He is wild and revengeful.--
He has the art and cunning of demon.
Honor he knows not There is nothing
in the shape of sympathy or feeling
that he will allow TO stand between him
and any object bis bad heart is set upon.
George, George, all is vain. We may
struggle, like birds in the net of the
fowler. bnt the struggle is in vain. We
are lost--lost'
mo, no." vociferaied George, "dear
dear Emma, do not give up thus TO
despair. This man, this Colleti, is
mortal.a
sGeorge," cried Emma, "what do
You mean? You surely would not kill
him 81
81 have a fair quarrel with him."
said George, "aRd he shall meet me
face TO face to decide that quarrel. IL
] fall, then his hatred. or whatever pas
sion it is that thus stirs him against US,
ought to be satisfied; if he fall, then
there is one bad man the less in the
world, aud our mortal foe is no moren
"Oh! this is wild taIking,n cried
Emma; "Colleti is man who will
place himself on an equality with no
one. His whole life is series of under
hand schemes to obtain false advan-
tages. George, he will crush rs before
he will give you the faintest chance of
fairly coping with him."
I'VE shall see,n cried George; "but
first let US be assured that he has this
letter. Ring for the girl you entrusted
it to, Emma, and ! will ask her for it,
With trembling hand Emma rang
the bell, and desired that Mary might
come to her. When the girl entered
the room it was evident from her pert
IudIlH6E that SiC SuCSSCu Wnob SltS ildu
heen sent for, and knew herown power.
s'Mary.n said Emma, / gave you .
letter for Mr.. Grant,
Every well, ma'am," said the girl,
pertly,
Why did you not obey your mistress
and deliver it to me % said George, In
dignantly.
Perhaps you'd like to strike me, Mr.
Grant 2n replied the girl.
Answer me,n cried George. /
aThat's IS ! please
ainsolert meniafs'
eDon', speak TO me IN that Way
cried the girl, tossing her head affects
edly. G know what know. Ishan't
answer any of your questions
Girln said George, look 1t your
mistress, Is there no feeling In your
heart for ene who has rescued you from
poverty and want ss know she has 8
Hare you no gratitude ga -
: Oh ! that's al very fine.n said Mary, /
perily, but il don't make any differ