Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-06-28


for he is under obligations to me of The
strongest character"
"Nly heart is wholly yours,' wrote Jessie
in reply.
. "Shall heart and person be longer separat
:, ed" answered Levering, "To-morrow weel
hear your father will leave home, and be
y gone several days. This learn from Phil
J ip. What better opportunity to pass from
his protection to minel"
. Two days elapsed, and then the maiden
wrote-"Let it be as you DESIRE"
Weak and foolish maiden In that decis-
ion how much was involved! Not the hap.
: piness of day or year, but it might be q
whole lifetime.
What Mr.. Carlton had said to Levering Of
his life and principles was true. Both were
bad and very bad. He did not truly love
Jessie, for of that he was incapable. No
man who lacks virtue can love a woman
truly. 1t is a moral impossbility.
Levering ad first turned his thoughts to
marriage because it was necessary, as he
said tt himself, to form such an alliance
He belonged t. wealthy family, and by
marrying into family of equal wealth and
standing, he would take proper care of the
future. OF course he must have beautiful
and accomplished wife. In looking around
him no one struck the young mans fancy SO
strongly as Jessie Carlton; and, after weigh
ing all in favor and against her family, decid-
ed to storm :he citadel of her heart. Hand
some, intelligent, and with good address, he
was not long in making the impression he
desired. Jessie Cartoons heart was quickly
won.
Philip, a servant in the family of Mr.. Carl
tor, whom Leverng had secured to his inter.
est, was informed of tie intended elopement.
and employed to give such aid as his position
would afford. OF course the utmost secrecy
was enoned on him, aud his faithfulness was
sought to be secured by threats as we'll as
promises. But Philip. found it hard to bear
up alone under a secret of such great impor-
tance; he wanted some one TO sh..-s with
him the heavy burden. SO, confiding in the
discretion 81 another servant in the house,
nc divulged to her, after first obtaining her
promises not to betray what he was about to
communicate, the fact of Jesses intended
flight.
On the night previous to the day on which
Mr.. Carlton was to leave, he sat up late, en-
gagged in writing. 1t was past eleven o'clock
when there was light tep at the door which
was opened Immediately, g. female servant
gllded in noiselessiy, softly closing the door
after her.
"Well, Hannah!" said he in a voice Of
inquiry, as she approached him, in a some-
what agitated manner.
| "Mr. Carlton" she at length said, "oh, l
have something dreadful to tell you"
"For Heavens sake, Hannah, speak out
quickly then. What has happenedr" ex-
clai med Mr.. Carlton, agtated in turn.
"Nothing has happened yet; but, if you
60 away tomorrow, it will happen. Oh, sir,
do not 60 away"
"Hannah, what is the meaning of this!
Speak out plainly at once"
"Miss Jessie"
"Jessie What of her,"
"She is going off with Mr.. Levering."
rWhen! Where is she!" The father was
on his feet, and moving towards the door,
"Speak, grl''
"Oh, sir, don't be frightened said Hannah,
ct isn't tonight. Miss Jessie is in herroom.
have or ly come to tell you about it in time"
"Ah! thank you, my faithful Hannah"
Mr.. Carlton spoke in cslmer voice; and
returning to the secretary where he had been
writing sat down again."
"Now," he added, "tell me all you know
about this matter"
gall know" replied Hannah, 81 got to-
day from Philip. He told me he has been
carrying letters from Mr.. Levering to Jessie
and back again, for some time, ard that it is
al arranged for her to 60 off with him, just
at daylight, the morning after you leave
| home"
"Cun it be possible! Mad girl" exclaim-
ed Mr. Carlton, passionately. "And are you
sure Of all this, Hannah!"
"Phillip told me, and am afraid it is all
true"
every we'll, Hannah. thank you from
my heart for this act cf duty. You have
saved Jessie, it may be, from lifetime OF
misory. Mr.. lowering is bad man, and il
she marries him, he will make her wretched.
Foolish, foolish girl. Could she not believe
her father"
After some further conference, the gir
left the room, and Mr.. Carlton closing his
secretary, walked the floor for the space oi
an hour ere retiring. On the next day
greatly to the surprise of Hannah, he lef
home at the time previously appointed
No sleep weighed down the eyelids o
Jessie Carlton during the night that succeed
ed. Though the long hours that intervenet
from the time the family retired until the
hand of Aurora gently raised the curtain O
darkness from the east, she either walked the
floor OF her chamber or lay wakeful upon thu
bed. At early dawn, she wOs to pass from
beneath her fathers roof and from under hi
protection, committing unto another her les
tiny. Well might her heart tremSle ant
grow faint as she tried to look into the darl
future; we'll might she shrink back, half re
. pentant, and hesitate about the step she ha,
resolved to take. The silent midnight give
u to the wakelul solemn thoughts. Such tho't
= came to Jessie; and, as the winds sighed be
: tween the trees or moaned beneath the leave
Il it seemed as if spirit were addressing he
. in tones of warning.
= At last, a feeble line of light was seen uE