Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-04-28

u .What makes you so pale, Nellyn sneel
ed Letitia, as leaned tremblingiy agains
the window for support.
? did not answer her, but watched tn
pompous official as he earfuly searche
!, every article of clothing in my trunk wit
|, a perseverance that was worthy of bette
cause.
) Nothing here SIR he said 6. last, raising
to his feet and facing Mr.. Langdon.
Here is another box broke in Letitia
pointing to writing desk that stood upol
the table.
Again the man Of law commenced hi
duty, with smile of hope tightening up hl
features. He. held up to the wonderin:
company short gold chain, which had beer
gift of my mothers before she died; ant
then plain gold ring, which bore the ini
tisls &C. H. A A murmur of disrleasurs
went round the circle at the discovery O
.he ring. and before it had died away, the
officer turned out Of small box three SOW
ereigns.
My money. ny moneyn screamed Lett:
tia. sit ia exactly the. number extracted
from my purse!'
what have you to say now, Miss! asked
MIR. Langdon, coming up to me and laying
his thin hand upon my arm.
That Miss Letitia Langdon placed the
money there herself, SIR answered slowly
and distinctly.
DO you hear that Mr.. Oficerp called the
excited old man. Take her away into the
street, to the Jail, anywhere! wont have
her in my house another moment, sir: The
Jail is the place for the thieving creature!
mo, no, father, don't say that; don't be
too harshp cried Letitia. 1T is my affair;
allow me to settle it with her. know you
will, father! -E7r eFag
you are too kind, too forgiving,' said the
old man, placing his hand fondly on the
head of his child. The jail is the place for
her, Letitia!'
| But do not think of that father; she is
young, remember, and is withou. friends
The sin is against me; let me deal with her
g. away, ali of you, and leave US together.
Slowly Mr.. Lrngdon yielded to his daugh
ter's wishes, and preceded the household 10
the door.
You can choose, Nelly began Letitiu
when we were left alone, between two al
ternatives; you can go to jail or leave the
place at once. Choose between the two,
you mus. quickly. II you wish to stand a
trial. and make our sin public one, very
we'll II you wish to avoid it, will assist
you to leave town immed lately. Which
will you do!'
l 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 Charl les Howard-a
disgrace that would never leave him! Should
! drag him down into my misery! Never!
q will go al once.' answered, rising.
Very well,' said Letitia. Il will order a
conveyance myself in time for the train and
send some one Is assist you IN packing your
trunk
In less than half an hour | was at the
station, awaiting, halt impa tientiy, for the
train in which / was to go. 1t came at last.
and with feeling of mingled relief and de-
sPair, made my way through the crowd
toward the carriage painted out to me. As
| stepped one foot upon the platform, some
one grasped me firmly BY the arm. look
ed around met the wondering, puzzled gaze
OF Charles Howard. --
'Where in the world are you going Nelly?
he asked, drawing me back through the
crowd. ... ..r..
Home" said, faulty, as leaned back
heavily upoI his arm.
'You are mistaken in the direction,' said
he Home is this way, dear, very near you,
he added ,motioning coashman toward him.
'Driye Us 10 Chestnut HiII,' said ne 10 the
driver, as he lifted me into the coach.
looked at him with wonder and surprise.
1t seemed like a dream to me.
'l'll tell you Nelly, We are going home.'
he said; that is our destination. have pro-
cured a marriage Iscense, and came back
lier than intended, because felt sure
you were in trouble. What have they been
doing to your
In broken sentences told him the story
of my prosecutions ...
Never mind. never mind he said; Il will
take care of you in future. But first wish
to have better right TO protect you. Every
thing is prepared for your reception in your
new home, and we shall be married at once,
Nelly; SO there will be no room Tor scandal.
Heaven forbid that should add to ycur suf-
terng by my thoughtessness.'
must have been . sorry faced bride to
look upon, but my heart was as true and
glad as need be The following morning
Mr.. Howard sent note TO Miss Langdon,
which ran as follows:
"Mr. Charles Howard presents his COM
pliments to Mise Leti,ia Lsngdon, and begs
that she will no I fnrbear prosecuting suit
against his wife, since she did not leeve
town yesterday. as agreed upon. He hopes
also that Miss Largdon will not allow any
modest or conscent ieus scruples to deter
her from doing her duty, even though in
doing it she is forced to the painful necss-
sity of taking Mrs. Howard from her pleus-
ant home to the Iail.' ..
This all happened years ago. in time oi
shadows; now have the sunshine.
Whittier.