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

"Thut Miss letitia Langdon placed the
money there herself, air." answered SLOWLY
and distinctly.
''Do you hear that Mr.. Officer I" called
the excited old man. "Take her away into
the street, to the Jail, anywhere ! I wont
have her in my house another moment, sir
The Jail is the place for the thieving crea-
ture %
"No, no, father, DOM say that don't be
too harsh ~ cried Letitu. at is my affair;
allow me to settle il with her. know you
will, father !"
"You are too kind, too forgiving," said
the old man, placing his hand fondly on the
head of bis child. "The jail is the place for
her, teti,a !"
''But do not think Of that, father she is
young, remember, and is without friends.
The sin is against me let me deal with her.
&c away, all Of you, ard leave us together"
Slowly Mr.. Langdon yielded to his
daughters wishes, and preceded the house.
1 HOlu 10 Tue OOOT.
"You can choose, Nelly" began Letitia,
when we were left alone, "between two al.
ternatiVes you can 60 to Jail or leave the
place at once. Choose between the two,
you must quickly. II you wish TO stand a
trial, and make your sin public one, very
well. If you wish to avoid it, will assist
you to leave town Immediately. Which
will you do %
dropped my head upon my trembling
hands to cover my face from her malignant
exultant gaze. Should stay to bring
shame upon the noble head of Charles How
ard-a disgrace that would never leave him
Should drag him down into my misery
Never!
81 will go at once" I answered, rising.
"Very WE'LL" said Letita. 81 will orde
conveyance myself in time for the train
and send some one to assist you in packiD
d your trunk"
I In less than half an hour was at the eta
ton, awaiting, half impatiently, for the trai
. in which was to CO. 1t came at last, on
y with feeling of mingled relief and despair
r / made my way through the crowd townr
}. the carriage pointed out to me. As step
!. ped one foot upon the platform. some on
r grnspcd me firmly by the arm. locke
if around, and met the wondering, puzzled gu2
Of Charles Howard.
| "Where in the world are you going, Mel
d :" he asked, drawing me buck throug
Il the crowd.
s "Home !" said, family as leaned Bac
:; heavily upon his arm.
"You are mistaken in the direction" sal
@ he. "Home is this way, dear, very net
YOU" he added, motioning coachman t.
o ward him.
y "Drive US to Chestnut Hll," said he
l. the driver, as he lifted me into the coach.
3 l looked at him with wonder and surprise
t It seemed like dream to me.
"I'll tell you, Nelly, we are going home,
+ said he. "That is our destination. | hav
; procured marriage license, and am CON
e back earlier than intended, because ] fe
sure you were in trouble. What have the
r. been doing to you o.
!" In broken sentences told hin the sto
ID of my prosecutions.
"Never mind, never mind" he said {
q will take care of you in future. But first
h wish to have better right to protect you.-
Everything Is prepared fot your reception
!. your new home, and we will be married
6 once, Nelly; SO there will be no room f
y scandal. Heaven forbid that should az
% to your suffering by my thoughtessness."
y l must have been sorry-faced bride
e look upon, but my heart was as true and gil
e as need be. The following morning M
Howard sent note to Miss Langdon, whiC
- ran as follows:
Sc "Mr. Charles Howard presents his cor
pliments to Miss Letitia Langdon, and bel
= that she will not forbear prosecuting h
suit against his ,DJe, since she did not lea,
l. town yesterday as agreed upon. He hop
l also that Miss Langdon will not allow ar
i modest or conscientious scruples to det
her from her duty, even though in doing
)" she is forced to the painful necessity Of ta
o ing Mrs. Howard from her pleasant home
the jail"
1t This all happened years ago, in a time
e shadows | have now the sunshine.