The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-04-20
fo,lr':. the 9loln1,le 4 Gmtle.
. From the Great Republic Monthly
" Who Sitteth in Judgment 30

lConeiuoedj $50 @ - -'s
The lawyer went to the door just IN time to
catch sight of the retreating form of John
who had been doing servants duty at the key
hole. Shutting the door he turned the key,
then drew down the curtains, and closed tight
Iy the window shutters, and taking the large
arm chair near his vititor and as he supposed
client, he signifed that he was ready to hear
what she wished to communicate.
The lady, without uttering word, slowly
and with quiet, determined deliberation. rails
ed her veil and confsonted the lawyer.
| Great Godr he exclaimed, as he met her
gaze. starting up and staggering backward. SIS
this Jenny IrwinP Then. quickly recovering
himself he resumed his seat. and drawing up
near to his visitor, asked her, in hoarse whis-
per, what, in the name Of God, had brought
her there, and what she would have of him.
4 come, Gilbert Thorne,' she said, to have
a final reckoning with you.' .1 =e. ....as5
"A final reckoning with mef Did we not
have it six years agos and did you not sign
an agreement, under oath, that you would nev-
er cali upon me, seek me, speak to me. or in
any way interfere with, or address me again?
What do you mean, Jenny Irwin?'
4 mean thls--thatl when, six years ago, you
tired of me. and wished to east me off, per-
haps for another love- perhaps" set
! No. no! Stop there Jenny; stop there
Y ou know full well that it was not for another
love. You know we'll that my sense of duty
alone drove me to the step; that provided
Handsomely for you, - - ~ - s
1 False! It is false, Gilbert Throne. You
left me worse than penniles-helpless, friend
: less hopeless, tomeless, aimless!
; Nay, nay, Jenny; be just. If you wish to
obtain more from me tell me so, plainly; but
do not deny whatI have really done. Give
me the credit OF, at least, generosity toward
1 you. Did not settle ten thousand dollars
{ upon you. in cash, when yon signed that con-
tract, which you have this night broken? Did
: not do more than one man in thousand
could have done? Could I hare done moreT
You do oubtless remember Gilbert Thorne
eight years ago to night. You will never for
! get it after l have called it again TO your
? mind. You came with my brother Dick: you
sat next to me at the table; it was gay Christ.
mas eve; knew not then, and scarcely thought
f for a long time after whether you were mar
sled or not; you said fair things to me then;
el you often came welcome guest at my faith
: er's board; you were not rich then Gilbert
Z Thorne-far from it-well you sought to win
Emy love- you ICON it. bas .qi7a.lss:ss.
Il A slight tremor over.ran the womans frame,
and drawing her hand across her, forehead, as
though to soothe its pain; she went on: no Z.
Then my brother Dick vent away to Cali.
fornia, and who so kind and who so brother
ly in his attentions as you? Then came the
! news of his death-shot By some traitor hand.
pursuing his solitary way over the mountains
It then my mothers illness; for Dick was all her
love-her deGth.4siA s9lfsaet sit ii Bslag
b Another pause, ard again the hand was
N pressed upon the forehead Again she went
on: sti.is's4i sl+ is s',e ~ 80" - - = d
,sF I'VE thought you very kind then, Gilbert
70 Thorne. It was better, perhaps, for, father
I'd that he went as he did better for him and
better for me--father, are very blind, and mine
a was binder than all the rest, or he might have
seen what too late understood. Was il
,alstrange, when he felt the chords of life loosen
( ed from earth, that he should have though
you most worthy of the sacred trust of bein:
q his daughters guardian, and the executor o
bis wif Oh fatel oh fate! how cruelty thol
ne dost use usi Well, well, Gilbert Thorne. yo
q were my guardian. The world reputed m
father rieh., All that he left on earth was i
ro' your keepin g-his fortune-and his daughter
Sc You did not take that daughter to your homt
an and cherish her as sister, as you promise
,es upon his dying bed No, no. became you
i've mistress; but God above can bear me witnes
know not what 1 did. only knew that
;.h loved you, worshiped you with all the intensit
a Of strong hearts first affection ....-.,
sor 4 was very, very happy in those few, bri
- months, Gilbert. ] say it with shame, but u
J III cannot help but say it.. | used TO wate
= ~. for your coming the few times week whic
'1 ' you spared to me, OIL so eagerly, SO earnestI
i well remember the night which decide
'ost my fate l have thought of it many time
- and never without bitterness and hate until
the day. You came to me as usual. and after o
. little supper-how sweet those little suppe
] SO were i-you told me that "a great change hi
Iznol come over you, that your daughter was gro
ing up-your vile, a good faithful woman W