The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-09-16

" she would speak; but he hurried on, for the
Aauuting style Of her dress was not calculated
to prepossess the passers-by.
.Good graciousi you dont say sol Seen
her yourself2 Now do you 60 right back to
York am hunt her up,-no matter what it
costs.n ~
"But my unclep p"
s.We'll look arter him "
It was speedily determined, and Mark set
out the Same day. Meanwhile, Mildred had
promised to 60 and see Mr.. Hardwick and en-
deavor to make him cheerful.
SIT beats all, said Mr.. Afford to his wife.
"Now u he shosld find that unfort'nats gal {!
Wal, wal, begin to think the Lord does look
arter things some, even IN this world"
We leave Squire Clamp and his wife to their
happiness II would not Be- wellto lift the de-
cent veil which drops over their housshold.-
The dark, perchancs guilty. past,-the stormy
present, and the rstribation Of the futuss,--let
memory and conscience deal with them!
CHAPTER XVI.
Never was little village in greater commo.
tion than Innisfs Ia after Marks dep rture.-
The succession Of events had been such a. to
engage the attention OF the most Indifferent,
The mysterious exile Of Mildred, the failing
health and spirits Of the blac ksmith, the new
rumors respecting the fate Of Lucy, the sud
den AID unaceountable marriage Of Mrs. Kin
loch, and her fruitless attempt to bring her
daughter back, were oil discussed In every
house, - well 40 in placss Of public resort
Hugh Branning was soon convinced that the
village was no place for him. He had bravely
horse-whipped cripple, but he could not stop
the tongues Of the whole parish, even IL he
could protect himself from swift and extem-
pore justice. He gathered his clothes, and,
after long private conference with his moth
er, started before day Light for the railway
station. As he does not appear on the stage,
again, We may say here, that, not long after,
during financial panic in New York, he made
Fortune Of nearly half q million dollars by
speculating in stocks. He used to tell his
friends in after years that he had "only five
thousand to begin with,-the sole property left
him BY his lamented parents" He has now
q handsome mansion in the Fifth Avenue, 10 q
conspicuous member Of the Rev. DR.. Hold
fast's church. and most jealous against the ill.,
timed discussions and philanthropic vagaries
Of the day. What would he not give to forget
that slowly -movias figure, with swimming
eyes, carrying faring candle? How far
along the years that feeble light was thrown
He never went through the hall Of his house at
night withort shuiie-, dreading to catch
glimpse Of that sorrowing face.
twas on Tuesday evening, the night pre-
ce ling the Probate Court tn which Squire
Clamp hal been cited. Nothing had been
heard from M,rk, and his friends were much
dep, essed. Mildred sat by Mr.. Hardwick's
bedside during the long hours, and read to
him from his favorte authors. About ten
o'clock, just AZ the family were preparing to
g, to bed, Mark drove up to the door. He
was warmly welcomed, aud at once over
whelmed with questions. "Did he find Lucy?''
"What did she know?" "Why did she Sc
crete herself?" To all these Mark merely re-
piled, 81 found Lacy how much 1 have ac-
compIished dare not say. But do you, James,
come with me. We will 60 up to old Mrs.
Ransnrn's."
"Why. she's not there; she's gone to the
"Broken down with old age and sorrow,
suppose. But don't care to see her now
Let US 60 to the old house and meantime,
You girls, 60 to bed"
But they protested they should wait till he
returned, ,-that they could not sleep wink
until they knew the result.
Provided with lantern, the young men Get
out. They found the hovel nearly in ruins |;
for pilferers had taken such pieces a. they
could strip of for irewood. Mark eagerly
ripped Up the floor near the hearth. At the
first fash Of the light he saw . paper, dusty
and discolored. He seized and opened 1t. II
was the srM of Mr.. Kisloch, dsly si.ged and at
tested. Lucy did not deceive him.
With hurried pace they returned to the will
age, scarcely stopping to take brssth until
they reached Mr.. Hardwick's house. It was
no vain hope. then I II was true! The
schemes Of the step mother would be frustra-
ted. The odious control Of Squire Clamp
would end. Marx began to read the viii, then
stopped, embraced bis cousins and Mildred BY
tarns, then read again. He was beside him
self with joy.
All were too much excited to sleep and
when the 6sst transports OF surprise were over
they naturally inquired after the unfortunate
girl. He had found her, after great difficulty !,
in miserable garrst. The surmises Of the
villagers were correct. She was ruined, heart
broken. Dissipation, exposure, and all the
frightful influences Of her wrstched life had
brought on fever, and now, destitute and
forsaken, shs was left BY those who had made
merchandise Of her bsasty, to die. He learn
ed from Lucy what shs knew Of the affair Of
the will. She became satisfied, soon sfter Mr..
Kinloehs death, that some wrong was int.ne-
ed, and she watched her mistress. Then
Squire Clamp had induced her BY threats and
bribes to get the papsn. Az shs took them
AAk H. H. -