The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-03-31
RAVENNA, THURSDAY, MARCH 81, 1859

while he pitied me because was poor and
friendIess and so she must, out of courtesy
to him, insist upon my sewing 10 my cham |
Der instead Of the sitting.room.
But one evening when | supposed every
member of the family was making merry 10
the parlor, stole down in the sitting room
for book had left there several days be.
fore. As turned from the room to cross
the brilliantly lighted hall, met Mr.. How.
ard. A sudden light broke over his face as
he saw me, and with hands extended he came
toward me, taking both my own in his.
II must hot stay," I said, attempting to
draw away from him.
"But a moment, dear" said he, 81 am
preparing home for you. 1t will be ready
soon. am going away to. morrow. When
return will take you away from this place.
Keep up brave heart until then. Twill be
back again in three days."
As he bent his lips down to mine, saw
at the opposite side of the hall, peerng from
q door, the handsome, naughty face of Lett
tia Langdon. had not time to signify by
word or look to Mr.. Howard that there was
any one watching US before he said, pressing
my hand as he turned away, "Three days,
Nelly !"
But his assurance did not make ne happy.
| could have borne every thing, knowing the
same roof sheltered us both; but now for
three long days was to be left to the rner.
cy of the cruel, revengeful Letitia. What
might not happen in that time? l wept
myself to sleep, thinking Of it, and all night
my dreams were shadowed by the face of
Letitia Langdon, wearing the same express
sion it had worn Intervening before, when
it lowered upon my happiness. The follow.
ing day there was this strange presentiment
Of evil with me, which could not put away
lightly. Letitia's face was an unreadnble
one, yet when she spoke to me there was an
dir # triumph about her u vein of satisfied
revenge running through the very tones o
her voice.
On the morning of the second day of Mr..
Howards absence, while was sitting in my
chamber, finishing light morning Wrapper
for Letitia, was summoned to the paflor
| knew not why, but sudden fear took pos
session of me, and could hardly totte
down stairs, SO real had grown the idea q
the sorrow that was coming.
"Miss RUSSELL" began Mr.. Langdon as
entered the room in which the household
was assembled, 81 have sad reports of yor
from my daughter Lcli;ia, Some one ha,
taken large sum OF money from her purse
can you tell who it was !''
"Sir," 1 began in a choked voice, 81 d
not understand you"
"Probably not, Miss" said he. "But t
make the thing plain, will repeat il. NJ
dOughter Letitia misses large sum of mon
ey from her purse, and thinks you may bl
able TO give her SOME clue to it--in qnie
way you know"
"How should I know any thing of hei
money Z" I demanded, in quick, enphat
ic tone, fixing my eyes steadily upon th
thin, sharp face of the old man.
"Ob, that would not be a difficult matter
as often as you go in and cut of my room "
said Letita, seeing that her father quaie
t beneath my glance.
"And what right have you to insinuat
such thing of me the right that the rc
assume over the poor % asked.
"No such right, Miss" retorted Letitia
"But when woman can herself be wantin.
of one essential virtue, people more readil,
suspect her of lacking others. So beliey
that you are able to tell me something of m
money, rather than other servants who hav
always shown themselves strictly HONORABLE
in every thing =
"And is this all you have to say to me !!
I asked, glancing round upon the little as
sembly.
Gail! Is not enough. young woman 2
exclaimed Mr.. Langdon.
Enough? Certoinly. sir," answered
turning to leave the room but at the door
was met by on officer, who thrust search
warrant in my face.
"According to law, madam" he said, pre-
cedihg me up stairs, "such things must b.
looked into"
4 glanced arotnd at the little group tina
was following me, to see if there was ont
plying, human face in it; but I looked ii
vain. Every countenance was as hard ant
cold as granite. Why, oh, why, did not SOM
kind angel send Mr.. Howard to me OF tha
moment Of peril
"What makes you so pale, Nelly :" sneer
ed Letita, as l leaned tremblingly agains
the window for support.
did not answer her, but watched the pom
pous official as he carefully searched ever
article of clothing in my trunk with perse
verance that was worthy of a better cause.
"Nothing here, sir" he said at last, risin'
to his feet and facing Mr.. Langdon.
"Eiere is another box" broke in Letitia
pointing to a writing desk that stood upo
the table.
!, Again the man of law commenced his du
. | o., Nth n amilo of horye liUhtin0 mn hiS fen