Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-10-15
Foul Chapters Of a White Lie.

GLOW unfortunate! Mamma writes me
that she cannot find her emerald bracelet. -
Now don't dare tell that have lost il, as
you remember did, returning from Mrs. La
cy's party, 1t is the last gift of my father.
and very valuable. I'm sure don't know
what to do" Aud Lena Atlcy threw the let
ter impatiently down.
"ll is well you are here in New York." re-
Piled her queenly cousin, shaking the heavy
curls from her shoulders, as she looked up un-
willingly from her book; "what does aunt
say ?"
"She wishes TO know if by mistake could
have brought it on, or if | remember when
last saw it, and where?"
Easily answered, little simpleton Just
tell her, in general way, that you wonder
at her foi thinking you SO careless as to
bring it here, and say that before you went
TO the party. you saw it fastened to the to-
let cushion in her room-you know you dress.
ed there"
"But won't that be falsehood alnlos. ?'
urged Lena timidly.
"a tiddlestick. you little puritan; where's
the lie? You havn't brought it to New York
have you? You did see it on your mothers
toilet table didn't you? You must learn TO
distinguish between a prudent way of getting
over "a matter, and sh er falsehood, you little
country bit of perfection"
Lena seemed satisied-she could not
brook the sneer of her beautiful cousin
nor could she bear the term puritanical,
which her fashionable New York relative
styled her acts of conscience The letter
was written, sealed and sent; but that night
in the midst of splendid throngs, Lena's heart
beat with shame for the deed at which con
science rebelled.
! CHATTER SECOND.
"Mary. come here; want TO see you alone
a moment" and Mrs. Alley eDtsrea her dres-
sing-room, followed by her handsome, inno-
cent looking little chambermaid.
"Mary, have lost my emerald bracelet,
she said firmly, when she had seated her
self 81 want to know if you remember see
ing it,"
Mary turned pale. She was extremely
timid, and the thought that she might be even
suspected, frightened her exceedingly
When she answered her voice trembled.-
"Indeed, ma'am, don't tb nk I've seen it al
ALL"
"But Mary" and the tone grew sterner.-
"Lcna writes me that the last time she saw IL,
it was in this room, on last Wednesday week.
That night l left you here alone. am posi-
i've that no one but yourself has since been
n missed it that very nigbt-tell me II
you have taken ii--fnd it--return it to me,
and will forgive you"
"Oh! Mrs. Alley. indeed, don't know any
thing about it," exclaimed the girl, beginning
| 1. l.. LII . 4,
never was thief mother will tell you that
She brought me up to the Sunday School
and good things. I'D sooner spill my hearts
blood than touch it. o now indeed remem-
ber. 1t seems as if Miss Lena had it," re-
peated the girl, trembling so she could hard
ly stand upright. IL do Think believe
saw it on her arm yes am sure Miss Lena
must have taken it to wear to the party"
"That is the coolest impudence have heard
yet" exclaimed Mrs. Alley, her lips quver-
ing with passion; 81 might have forgiven you
had you been candid and told the truth. But
the charges you make against my daughter
the soul Of candor itself-place you entirely
out of reach Of my sympathy. | am aston
ally no less convinced by your manner. Nc
honest gill would blush and stammer, and
then turn pale--or turn her guilt upon an
other. l shall dismiss you if you do not re.
turn the bracelet. heard you speak Of it,
saw you look at it that evening; but the
thought never entered my mind that you
would steal. If do not get the bracelet
soon, very soon, shall write to William Har-
mon, and do you think he will marry yor
when he hears that you have been suspected
as thief? You may take tomorrow to re
store my property-you know do as | say
With cheek as white as any corpse, anc
a wild light in her glazed eyes, Mary tottereC
from the room, felt her way along the entry
(for darkness seemed to have fallen upon her,
up the stairs, into her own little chamber
There, falling headlong on the floor, she laiC
in silent, bitter agony. Her spirit was almost
broken. Where now we're all her happy
dreams? Dashed like temple by SOM
strong wind-their ruins choked up her heart
! The long sunny road was darkened. The lit
tie cottage with its honeysuckle, its garden
its fruit trees, struck by pitess lightning
= The priest and the altar. the manly form G
William, with his honest dark eyes-shu
3 from her guileless thought by the cloud G
doubt, of horrid accusation. Visions Of off
GERS and jails. and witnesses, and disgrace
, floated before her
For long time she laid there; but at lengt
slowly rising. her brain beating with dul
heavy throb, she clasped her hands, and brok
into the widest grief a.. s,.
"I'll never go home--it'll kill mother !
The little children shall never think they ha
( thief for sister; and as for William-Go
help me! we were going TO be married SO 500
: and was so happy; but ! CAM meet hi
+ eye now-I can't prove anything-l was
: the dressing room; | did ask Miss Lena wh'
e the pretty thing cost. and when che said fv
hundred dollars, did say, % how nice
n would be TO have all that money o, III
o ruined-I'm ruined! Mother, did | leay
IS home for this?'
$ Away, in the dark night, has that poor gi
# gone-the burden Of suspicion crushing h'
I. life out. On, on she hurries-she SO fearf'
Y Of the dark-she who had nursed hundre
idle superstitions of ghosts and fairies. Nigl
q vii h it's cloudy arms, welcomes her now, an
1 oo,,ars har ;nnocant ahan,a from tha al ,ht