Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-11-20

iler mornings interview with Mr.. and
Mrs. Langley; but we shall moi attempt
to portray his feelings at the recital, for
they can only be imagined. He knew
the whole secret. yet he chose not to re-
veal it now. He saw at once the time
had arrived for him to take some decided
step.
Louisa, you must Leave Mr.. Lang
ley's Immediately" said he, after cousid-
ering the matter for few moments.
But il is nearly year before ] am
free"
"He appears to be willing to give you
up soon; and besides he has forfeited all
claims on you by his unlawful conduct" !"
"Where shall gol have not rela-
tive in the world; and know OF no friend
able TO project me against the persecu-
tion of that wicked man."
ii have offered you the protection.
will YOU not accept it!''
"Henry have all confidence in sou.
but ale you not risking TO much for me-"
"ihere is no risk So grea, but would
willingly incur il 10 serve you, dearest
Louisa" said Henry as he imprinted "A
kiss on her fair brow. But time flies,
and we must lay our plans for your es-
cape. | would rather that he should be
kept in ignorance as 10 your destination
and manner of escape for The present, at
least, until you are Of age. He has Civ
en- you until Tomorrow morning to make
up your mind 10 marry David Grant
You can require another day. lie will
not be likely TO refuse you, If he has
hopes of your yielding quietly. By 10
morrow nightI shall have everything pre-
pared, so that you can leave the city
wihou. his having any clue to the way
in which you escaped"
but where do you propose to take
mc!"
''fo Philadelphia, where we will be
married; or sooner if YOU prefer il. T"
'lsbal be governed entirely BY your
discretion.
81 will pledge you my honor that your
confidence shall not be :bused; and now,
Louisa, promise me you wil! be ready
by twelve O'Clock Tomorrow night, and
you shall soon be hey and the reach of
persecution"
Ill shall be as you desire; death in
any form, would he preferable to long
er residence under that roof; but had
better GO now for i; is getting very late,
aad iremb!e les, should be discover.
ed.
"Go then, dearest, and be punctual to,
morrow night" said Henry Us be gave
her parting kiss.
He watched her retrea!ing figure until
it disappeared around the corner OF the
house; then slowly vending his way to
the city, musing OH all that had passed
thai evening, and planning his future
course. Louisa regained her room
through the same medium in which she
had left il. But her mind was too much
engaged with the past, and future, 10 ad
init of sleep. Her thoughts were of SO
strange a mixture, thar an attempt to un-
rarel them would be useless, we shal.
therefore leave them To the readers own
imagination.
Louisa was up much earlier lhln her
usual hour, for sleep she could not. She
had been in the kitchen huta few minutes
when her guardian made his appearance
with The missing keys To open the doors
Surprised TO find Louisa up SO early, he
examined every door and window mi
nu.ely, to see if he could discover any
signs oftheir having been opened; but dis
~, mana Ia rai,rpAI Il, htc roam,
without making any remarks. He was
evidently disappointed at Louisa's dis
covering her Imprisonment; and il proved
The destruction of all her future plans.
Louisa had commenced preparations
for her flight ere she vas summoned be-
fore her guardian to give her decision. -
So sure was she that she could gain an
other days probation, that doubt had
not crossed her mind, but that she should
soon be far from her tormentors. There
fore when she was desired to appear be-
fore them, she went without hesi,ation;
she had moi for moment considered The
influence her seeming carelessness might
exert over them; bul scene was before
her she had not counted upon. Imagine
her surprise on entering the room to be-
hold, sitting bolt upright, in the very
centre of a splendid sofa, the living,
breathing, suilor for her hand and heart.
Yes, there sat David Grant, true to life.
lrigged out in a bran new suit of SUI
rerline blue broad-cloth, and gilt buttons
which mirrored every object in The room.
His head confined to The centre of gravi-
ty by well stiffened cravat, while his
hat and boots, seemed to vie with each
other in style, and polish. As Louisa
entered, his huge mouth relaxsd to grin,
which threatened to annihilate his lady
love, the moment she was within his
reach. He awkwardly arose, and ex-
tended his hand, but Louisa appeared not
TO notice it. Mr.. Langley saw the con-
temptuous manner in which she treated
him, and the demon was already at work.
But, smothering his resentment. he said
in as calm tone as he could COM
mand,-
"Mr. Grant has called this morning to
learn your decision to .he proposal he
has seen fit to make you. through me"
Here Dayid's mouth widened another
~ oh ool ~. m A., /, ,.o IL r,,rr, xur;nulad :,