Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-11-10
She turned deadly pa.e and sank to the

r floor
.Oh, miss she said. in a low voice. 'you
. never can forgive me. 1t was very, very
, wrong; but if you knew all you would pity
me. Mr.. Josiah promised to get my brother
, let off being soldier--he did. indeed
Mothers broken-hearied about poor James.
knew it was true that Lucy's brother
; had enlisted.
Have you any proof to give of Josiah's
promise!' asked.
'OnIy my word; but that's worth nothing
now,' she replied. in accents of despair
I'I've told one lie; nobody will believe me-
The girls confession, which was greatly
to her detriment, lef. no doubt in my mind
respecting my cousin; but the motive for
his extraordinary conduct was still hidden
in mystery. l cautioned tine girl not to say
a word about the ,sffalr with Mr.. Josiah,
which. unsupported as r-tSs BY shy sfnfi-
cient evidence, would only render her case
worse with my aunt.
NV aunt, of her own accord, after very
serious admoBition, awarded to Lucy the
grace of months warning.
Never again did my aunt allude to my
marriage with Josiah; BUT she treated ne
with the utmost coldness and distance.
1T appeared that Mrs. Huntly had per-
fectlv comprehended the reason of my ST.
lence and tears, when she addressed Inc at
the dinner. 1n few days received let
ter from her son, making me an offer.
sReioiced as | was at this evidence Of Mr..
Huntly's love. could have given anything
that his avowal should have been postponed
till my aunt had become once more recon-
ci!ed to my rejection OF Josish.
i placed the letter in nv aunt's hand,
telling her that held myself fully bound by
my promise not to marry without her con-
sent. She read the letter without making
any remark on the contents. told me to
acknowledge its receipt, and say that the
subject should be fully answered in few
days. I little imagined the reply that let
ter was destined to receive.
.One morning, about ten DAYS after the
dinner party. was summoned TO my aunt's
room; of course believed she wished 10 see
me respecting MIR. HunIly's offer. When
entered the room. ] could see she was
very much sgitated; she motioned me 10
shut the door.
Where did you put the diamonds on the
night of the dinnerp she inquired.
SIN their usual place, at the top Of the
drawer replied.
Find them, them
81 knelt down and looked into the safe;
the diamonds were not in their place. felt
dreadfuly alarmed; it was my fault. for let.
ting the keys go out OF my hands. pulled
out all the contents Of the safe, parchment,
Illegal documents, dusty handies Of frtters,
bills, plate-,he diamonds were gone!
| Il have had the keys in my possession
from the time Lucy brought them to me at
the night of the dinner, can swear to it!
exclaimed my aunt. why, that was the
n ght the girl was found in the garden
you don't suspect Lucy, aunt.
| sI do' she replied with decision.
Il protested it was impossible Lucy coull
have been guilty of sach crime.
sWell,' rejoined my aunt, I'VE women are
not fit Judges in such a matter. I'll send
for MIR. Chapman
This gentleman was a solicitor. and had
always been great friend and chief advi-
ser of my aunt.
"a messenger was dispatched 20 Mr.. c..
and the coachman sent, post haste. to fetch
Josiah home from the city.
.In about two hours Mr.. Chapman was
with us. Ny aunt related to him the occur
rences of thsi- night calling upon me to
supply the particulars in which was con-
cerned.
sHe desired that Lucy should be sent for.
| would willingly have escaped from the
room, but my aunt ordered me to remain.
'Mr. Chapman placed his char SO that
the light from the window fell full on her
face as she stcod before him.
Il was in perfect agony; knew the girl
was innocent. There was sickening pre-
. sentiment weighing in my mind, strive
, against it as would, that Josiah was in
. volved in the affair.
'Mr. Chapman stated to Lucy, that in
, consequence Of something which had just
f transpired, it was necessary for him to know
the name of the person she had gone in the
: gar1en to see.
'She looked anxiously at me; | averted
e my eyes, but felt my face burn beneath
d her gaze.
e She replied it was her lover
A .His namep demanded Mr. Chapman.
F.. 'She refused to give any name. and tho
|. he pressed her on the point, she remained
o obstinately silent.
n 'Now Lucy said he, this is how matters
r stand: your mistress's diamonds were PLACED
in that press; the keys were last in you
t, possession, the diamonds are gone
e 'Gonen exclaimed the girl, in terror -
'Not me, Sir; you don't suspect meP
t. Mr.. Chapman made DO reply. Lucy turn
ed from him to my aunt, and vebementll
protested her innocence.
" 1T is in your power, Lucy,' said Mr.. c.
ID 'to clear yourself from suspicion by telling
" US the name of your lover
'In sheer desperation, the girl uttere
70 some name. Mr.. Chapman noted it down
SHOW, the address. Mind. shall send
e. person Immediately to verify what you say
She stammered, prevaricated, and threw
herself in an agony Of grief upon the floor
IN Mr.. Chapman ted my aunt that con
stable had better be sent for.
" 'At this junciure. Josiah entered tn
room; he was not himself--I could see tina,