True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-12-29

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but now for three long days I was to be
left to the mercy of ,be cruel, revengeiul
Letita. What might not happen in that
time I | wePt myself TO sleep thinking
OF it, and all night my dreams were shad-
owed by the face of Le,ita Langdon,
wearing the same expression it had worn
the evening before. when it lowered upon
my happiness. The following day there
was this same strange presentment OF
evil with me, which l could not put away
lightly. Letita's face was an unreadable
one, yet when she spoke to me there was
an air OF triumph about her-a vein of
satisfied revenge running through the
very tones of her voice. "a.
On the morning of the second day OF
Mr. Howard's absence, while was SIT
ting in my chamber finishing light
morning wrapper for Letiia was sum
moned 10 the parlor. I knew not why,
but a sudden fear took possession of me ;
| felt that great grief was bearing down
close upon me, and I could hardly totter
down stairs, so real bad grown The idea
OF the sorrow that was coming.
Miss RUSSELL began Mr.. Langdon as
| entered the room, in which The whole
household was assembled, Il have sad
! reports of you from my daughter Le.ita.
Some one has taken large sum of money
! from her purse; can you tell who it was 2
} Sir began in choked voice, i do
not understand you
Probably not, MISS said he. But tc
J make everything plain, will repeat it,
My daughter Letitia misses a large sum
of money from her purse, and she think:
you may be able 10 give her some clue tc
tin quiet way, you knowl'
How should l know anything of hel
, money! | demanded, in quick, empha
tic tone, fixing my eyes steadily, upor
the thin, sharp face Of the old man.
oh that would not be very Difficult
matter, as you often go in and out of my
$ room ! said Lelitia, seeing that her fathel
Q quailed beneath my glance.
j 'And what right have you 10 nsinuatt
D such thing of me 7? the right that The
e rich assume over the poor!' l asked.
mo such right, miss, retorled Letitia
: But when woman shows herself to be
wanting in one essential virtue, people
are more ready to suspect her of lacking
others. So must believe that you are
able to tell me something Of my money
rather than other servants who have al.
ways shown themselves strictly honorable
in everything
'And is this all you have to say to met
J ! asked, glancing round the little assem-.
bly,.
All! 1t is enough, young woman !
exclaimed Mr.. Langdon.
Enough ! Certainly, SIR answered
turning TO leave the room but al the dool
| was met by an officer who thrust ;
search warrant in my face.
, According to law, ma'am,' he said
preceding me up stairs, such things mus
be looked into
; | glanced round the little group thai
was following me, to see If there was ont
: plying, humane face in it; but | looked
in vain. Every countenance was hart
and cold as granite. Why, oh, why die
! not some kind angel send Mr.. Howard tt
: me at that moment Of perl'
what makes you so pale, Nelly =!
sneered Letitia, as leaned tremblingly
against the window for support.
/ did not answer her, but watched tn,
| pompous official as he carefully searched
! every article of clothing in my trunk will
perseverance worthy Of better cause.
d Nothing here, sir he said, at last, ri
n sing to his feet, and facing Mr.. Langdon
/. 'Here is another box broke in Letti
l pointing TO writing desk that stood upol
r a table. ... ..
= Again the man of law commenced hi
2 duty, with smile of hope lighting up hi
] features He held up TO the wonderin,
F.; company short gold chain which hat
!, been the gift Of my mother before sh
r died; and then plain gold ring, whic
bore the initials, G. H. A murmur O
displeasure went around the circle at tn
g discovery Of the ring, and before it die
Q away the officer had turned out Of sma
+ box. three sovereigns. ..4 ...
MY money, my money! screame
: Le'itia. lit is exactly the number abslraC
!. ted from my purse ..
v what have you to say now, Miss
e asked Mr.. Langdon, coming up to me an
!. laying his thin hand upon my arm.
o THAT Miss Letitia Langdon placed tn
money there herself, SIR answered
n slowly and distinctly. .-"..
20 DO you hear that, Mr.. Officer 2 calle
=. the excited old man. Take her ava
is into the street, TO Jail, anywhere. l won
/, have her in my house another momen
not another moment, sir. The jail is th
I place for the thieving creature
:. mo, no, father, don't say that, don't b
y too harsh,' cried Le,itia. 1T is my a
% fair; allow me TO settle IL with her.
d know you will, father
D. you are too kind, too forgiving,' sal
10 the old man, placing his hand foudly o
the head of his child. The jail is II
le place for her, Letitia.'
:, But do not think OF that father: Oh
D; is young, very young, remember, and