Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-01-28

had ssisen from the table it was nearly
nine o'clock, when was left aione with
Araminta. Then excused myself rom
the room, and went to my own apart
ment in search of the locket which i
had left lying on my dressing-bureau.
What was my astonish,nent to find it
missing? l searched long and yainly,
and at last concluded that some Of the
servants must have taken it. But what
was to do! Ihad promised Araminta
to leave my dagucrreotype with her,
and I disliked exceedingly to mention
my loss to her, knowing the disagreea-
bic suspicious which would be likely to
follow. A moments thought decided
me. The artist at the village, think
ing my picture good one for exhibit
ton, had reserved one for his own use.
This I would have set in as handsome
case as could find in his assortment
and present it to Araminta in the morn
ing. Banishing my vexation, there, as
best might, returned to the parlor,
and informed Miss Douglas that | had
sat for picture for her, hut it would
not be finished until morning, when l
hoped for the pleasure Of presenting 1t
to her.
Araminta accepted the daguerreotype
very graciously and l left in the best
of spirits. Judge of my surprise, there
fore, when on the folio wing week re-
ceivcd note couched in these terms,
and accompanied by my letters and
miniature.
s'SlR: Previous to my acquaintance with
YOU, had been informed of your character
us an exper cnced and unprincp pied tiirt. My
high respect for your sister, and | may ADJ
the frankness and apparent sincerity OF ysur
own manners, served, however, to dispel the
prejudices thereby inspired; though, as you
very we'll know, it was long before could
feel sufficient confidence in your integrity to
accept your addresses. Recent developments,
however, have not only confirmed my old
suspicious. but laid open to nay view a
blacker phase Of your character, than any 4
had ever pictured Your own conscience
will doubtless suggest the circumstances to
which refer Sir, am no longer blinded
by your insidious wiles, and this opportuni-
ty OF expressing to you the scorn and exc
Grafton in which hold a man of your char
acter, affords me the highest pleasure. With
unfeigned thankfulncSs return to you your
letters and daguerreotye, and demand my
own. Do not have he baseness to under.
Ike one word of defence for your infamous
condust, rs it will avail you nothing. but
rather sink you in still deeper pit of infa-
my.
In the utmost Indignation, am, sir, your
undcceived victim,
| ARAMlNrA DnUeLAs."
| Now wasn't that an edifying letter to
be received by man not only entirely
innocent Of every charge therein con-
tanned; but also entirely ignorant of
the terrible circumstances, to which
such pointed allusioa was made =? At
first stamped with rage, but swearing
and all other exhibi ions of temper were
utterly useless. Any effort at an ex-
PLANTATION by letter would evidently be
equally futile !; there were only two
methods Of procedure left me. l could
either abandon the whole thing, and
suffer the case to go by default or l
could confront the irate Junto in per-
son { that is, if could gain access to
her indignant presence, and demand
the pr oof Of her allegations. This lat
ter due regard for my reputation as
an honest man decided me to do.
left town by the first train, en- route
for Beech Lawn. Arrived, l sent up
my card, and, just as I anticip atcd, was
refused an audience. 1t was time to
be resolute, so l wrote on the back of
the card:
ssMiss Douglas, am as innocent of the
charges you have preferred against me as
any man living, and you have no right to
deny me the opportunity of exculpating my
self Therefore, allow me to inform you
that the letters and daguerreotypc in my
possession will never be given up until |
have justice at your hands. If you do not
wish to see me yourself, you can refer me to
your father, but do not choose to Apply to
him till am certain of being treated as &
gent cman should be-
This message, after little delay,
brought me an InvitStion to enter the
library, where l found her father. l
stated my errand at once, and, after a
patient hearing, he conceded my right
to an explanation. 1t seemed that Miss
Douglas had acted entirely upon i'm
tulse, and without consulting her pa
rents and he therefore summoned her
at once to Ills presence, and required
the proof Of the charges which she had
preferred.
Araminta was still undaunted. Look
ing at me with a fixed, Indignant gaze,
she asked:
"Does Mr.. Hathaway pretend to de-
ny that, during his late visit here, he
met frequently by stealth, once at ieac..
in the arbor at the foot Of the garden
walk, where myself saw him in coa-
versatlon with her, Miss Susan Barlow,
n y scamstress? That he succeeded in
Winning her youthful affections, and
presented to Eer on that occasion his
miniature set in an elegant locket? Hc
dare not deny it, for the locket | have
myself SEEM"
Had a mine exploded beneath my
feet, l could net have been more aston
ished! Quickly regaining my self-pos-
session, however, l told as briefly as
possible the circumstances of my &C
quaintance with Miss Barlow, and the
loss of the locket. Araminta was still
skeptical, however, and 1 was obliged
to suggest that Miss Barlow be sum-
moned to deny, il she could, my state
ments. She was engaged in an upper
room, and her father instantly sent a