Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-04-30

eyes steadily upon the thin, sharp face OF the old
man.
"ob, that would not be a difficult matter, as of
ten as you 60 in and out of my room /" said Letitia,
seeing that her father quailcd beneath IN. glance.
"And wha. right have you to insinuate such q
t thing of me2 The right that the rich assume over
the poor 2" l asked.
"No such right, Miss" retorted Letitia. "But
Y when q woman can herself BIO wanting of one es'
t sential virtue, people more readily suspect her Of
:, lacking others. l believe that you are able to tell
me something Of my money, rather than other
e servants who have always shown themselves strict
ly honorable in everything"
"And is this all you have to say to me2" !
8 asked, glancing round upon the little assembly.
"Alll Is it not enough, young woman p ex.
claimed Mr.. LangdOu.
"Euough2 Certainly, sir" l answered, turning
e to leave ,ho room but at the door l was met by
< an officer, who thrust q search warrant in my face.
e According to law, madam" he said, preceding
e me up stairs, such things must be looked into"
l glanced round at the little group that was fol.
y lowing me, to see if there was one plying human
: face in It; but / looked in vain. Every counter.
ance was as hard and as cold as granite. WHY,
oh why, did not some kind angel send Mr.. Howard
to me at that moment of perilY
f "What makes you so pale, Nelly, sneered Lett
tia, as ] leaned tremblingly against the window
for support.
j did not answer her, but watched the pompous
D official as he carefully searched every article of
clothing in my trunk with a perseverance that was
5 worthy of a better cause.
r Nothing here. sir" he said at last, rising to
his feet and facing Mr.. Langdon.
g "Here is onother box" broke in Letitia, pointing
n to q writing desk that stood upon the table.
j Again the man of law commenced his duty, with
o a smile of hope lighting up his features. He held
to the wondering company q short gold chain,
o which had been the gift of my mothers before she
died then q plain gold ring, which bore the in
d itials &c. II. A." A murmur OF displeasure went
d round the circle at the discovery of the ring, and
C before it died away, the officer turned out of q
small box three sovereigns.
my money my money !" screamed Letitia.-
20 at is exactly the number extracted from my
purse ?"
"What have you to say now, Missi" asked Mr..
i Langdon, coming up to me and laying his thin
hand upon my arm.
o THAT Miss Letitia Langdon placed the money
there herself, sir" l answered slowly and distinct
u Iy.
"Do you hear that, Mr.. Officer ?" called the ex,
lie cited old man. "Take her away, into the street,
e TO the Jail, anywhere won't have her in my
house another moment, sir! The Jail is the place
l for the thieving creature"
"No, no, father, don't say that don't be too
harsh !" cried Letitia. 1t is my affair allow me
c to settle it With her. ! know you will, father"
"You are too kind, too forgiving," said the old
u man, placing his hand fondly on the head Of his
d child. "The Jail is the place for her, Letitia
l "But do not think of that, she is young, remem.
'e Der, and is without friends. The sin is nsains
me let me deal with her. Go away, all Of you
and leave US together"
Slowly Mr.. Langdon yielded to his daughter
Ks wishes, and preceded the household to the door.
"You can choose. Nelly" began Letitia, whel
- we were left alone, "between two alternative 20,
can go to Jail or leave the place at once. Choos
.o' between the two, you must quickly. If you wisl
VI to stand q trial, and make your sin q public one
ny very we'll. If you wish to avoid it, I will assis
y you to leave town Immediately. Which will yol
he do?'
90 l dropped my head upon my trembling hands Il
''s cover my face from her malignant, exultant gaze
ne Should stay to bring shame upon the noble heat
Ft' Of Charles Howard-a disgrace that would neve,
IA leave him? Should l drag him down into ms mis-
IN cry? Never!
" Il will 60 at once" l answered, rising.
Every WELL" said Letitia. 81 will order
" conveyance myself in time for the train, and sene
ID some one to assist you in packing your trunk"
49, In less than half an hour l was at the station
,t awaiting half impatiently, for the train in which
was to 20. 1t came ct last, and with a feeling Of
~ mingled relief and despair, l made my way through
She crowd toward the carriage pointed out to me
rs l stepped one foot upon the platform, some one
grasped me firmly by the arm. Hooked around
=. and met the wondering, puzzled gaze of Charlie
Howard.
IN "Where in the world are you going, Nelly ?" h,
asked, drawing me back through the crowd.
- "Home!" said, family, as l leaned back heav
lily upon his arm.
You are mistaken in the direction" said he.-
Home is this way, dear, very near you," he ad
ed, motioning a coachman toward him.
Drive US to Chestnut Ill.," said he to tn,
driver, as he lifted me into the coach.
l looked at him with wonder and surprise. I
seemed like a dream to me.
"Ill tell you, Nelly, we are going home", sal,
he. THAT is our destination, have procured
I marriage license, and am come back earlier than
:" intended, because l felt sure you were in trouble
3 :, What have they been doing to you
, Of In broken sentences l told him the story of M
, il prosecutions.
red "Never mind, never mind" he said | will tax
ere care of you in the future. But first | wish to hay
a better right to protect you. Everything is prt
pared for your reception in your new home, an
we will be married at once, Nelly SO there wi
. be no room for scandal. Heaven forbid that
ery should add to your suffering by my thoughtlcs.
ness"
/ must have been a sorry'faced bride to loo
~ upon, but my heart was as true and glad as nee
be. The following morning Mr.. Howard son.