Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-01-29
THE STORY TELLER.
The Tempters and Tempted.
BY CAMILLA ToULNIN.
CHAPTER ]

... CHAPTER ].
1t was an exceedingly comfortable dining
room, in an exceedingly comfortable house.
The month was January, and the air was SO
clear and frosty, that every step thai passed
seemed TO ring upon the pavement. Thick
warm curtains, however, excluded all draught,
and the brightest of fires blazed in the polished
CRATE while the clear light of pendant lamp
shone upon the dessert of chesnuts, in their
snowy napkin, and golden oranges. Amter
and ruby tinted wines sparkled through the rich
glass which held them but the comfortable
party was only trio--Mr. and Mrs. Dixon,
and :heir son. They were people whom the
world had used very kindly, who had never
had real trouble in their lives. No doubt
they had imagined few and imaginary sor-
rows differ from real ones, believe, chiefly, in
this-that they teach nothing, unless, indeed
their indulgence teaches and strengthens sell
fshness.
Mr.. Dixon was fine looking man, of about
fifty, with rather pleasing expression of coun-
tenance. He was often visited by good, kind
impulses, but certain indecision of character
had made him fall under the rule of his partner
early in their married life; and the instances,
during twenty-five years, in which his best in
clinations had been checked, were beyond all
numbering. The lady, who was about five
years his junior, bore every trace of having been
pretty woman, though on the petite SCALE
Yet there were people who did not like her
face; and, bright as her eyes were, they put
you in mind of March sunshine, with an east
wind blowing all the time.
Her lips were thin, and she had trick of
smiling, and showing her white teeth very Oft
en-, even when she said the most disagreeable
things. Richard Dixon, the son, bore strong
resemblance to his mother though, if the
mouth were indicative ofrather more sentiment
than she possessed, it also betrayed more SEN
suality.
This is very serious charge, my dear,
said Mr.. Dixon, putting down the glass he had
raised halfway to his lips; are you sure there
is no mistake!'
Quite sure,' replied the lady; quite certain
Mary must have taken it. | put the piece of
lace at the top of the drawer, and the key was
never ost of my possession, except when en-
trusted it to her.
'We never have had servant whom l
should have so little suspected returned Mr..
Dixon.
Nor either said the son and she is,
out and out, the best housemaid we ever had
at least, the best that ever has been willing 10
stay.
Truth always hits hard, and the color rose TO
Mrs Dixon's cheek. She was one of those la
dies who cannot keep their servants Then
bad is the best, l am sure,' she exclaimed, an
grily and for my part, l am glad she is 60
ing
And am very sorry said her husband
But why did you not tell me month ago
that you had given her warning, instead of
of leaving it in this way 10 the very last mo-
mentt'
Really, cannot see, Mr.. Dixon, what you
have TO do with these arrangements. | men
tion the circumstance now, because the girl is
leaving tonight, and because you will see a
strange face tomorrow, and would wish to
know all about it,
But what did she say, when you accused
her of theft ... ....
Accused her1 You don't suppose would
have done such foolish thing! A pretty
7 ho
fact, and that is sufficient; you do not believe
that should have got back the lace again, do
your .s ~.
But justice, my dear, Justice; surely you
should tell her your suspicious tH
oh! now that have engaged another SER
vant-now that she is going, you can tell her
if you like. But don't see, rnyself, what use
it is. She is sure 10 deny it, and then there
will be a scene-and hate scenes as much a.
you do ....t
At that moment there was slight tap a
the parlor-door, and, obedient to the come in
of Mrs Dixon, the discarded Mary entered. =
She was gentle-looking girl, of about TWEEN
ty, and was attired in dark cloak and straw
bonnet. She came to take dutiful leave o
the family, and to ask a question which seem
ed not TO have occurred to the party before
In engaging herself with any future mistress
and referring to Mrs. Dixon for character,
what was she to give as reason that she wa,
discharged' W.
So innocent, so interesting did Mary look
the tears inst starting to her eyes at the though
of leaving the home of many months, and he
check slightly finshed-that neither of the gen
tlemen could believe her guilty. But Mrs
Dixon was in the habit Of engaging and dis
charging about dozen servants year, of on
sort or another, and was quite hardened agains
Appearances --tt.sI gras'3v -a..r
Mr.. Dixon evaded an immediate answer /
Mary's question, by asking her whittier she wa
going! ...... .,.., ,.. .-.. g..
Il am going into lodging, sir .. q....
THAT is pity; have you no friends to sta
77sMy friends are all in Wiltshire said tn
Girl, with sigh; and besides that, it wonl'
cos, me great deal Of money to 60 to them
Iwould rather look out for place than max
4 holiday ....--., s,t, yl sgt55,z,, J,
Your wages that sent to you, were qnit
Y;pbt. I believsa' said Mrs. Dixon, with Al
;.v a;,n;tv that vas intended 10 close the con