The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-03-22
pressing my hand as he turned away,

L
ing the same roof sheltered us both; but
now for three long days was to be left to
the mercy Of the cruel, revengeful Lolita.
Whet might not happen ia that tiino -
/ wept myslf to sleep thinking of il, and
all night my dreams were shadowed by
tho faco Of Letitia Langdon. wearing the
same expression it bad worn the evening be
fore, when it lowered upon my happiness
Tho following day there was this strange
prescntimcnt of evil with me, which
could not put away lightly. Leti,a's fec
was an unreadable one, yet when sbespoke
to mo there was an air Of triumph about
hcr--a vein OF satisfied revenge running
through the very tones Of her voive.
On the morning of tho second Of Mr..
Howard'a absence, while / was sitting in my
chamber finishing light morning wrapper
for Le,itia, was summoned to the parlor
[ knew not why, sudden fear took
possession ofne, aud could hardly totter
down stairs, 80 real had grown the idea ot
! tho sorrow that was coming.
"Miss RUSSELL began Mr. Langdon, as
| entered the room in which tho whole
household was assembled, 81 have sad re.
ports of you from my daughter Letita.--
Some ono has taken large sum ofmon' y,
from her purse; can you tell who it vast
"Sir," began in choakcd voice, 81 do
not understand yoa.
"Probaly net Miss" said be. But to
make every thing plain, l will repeat it.
My daughter Letita misses large sum oi
money from her purse, and think you may
be ab to give hor some Clue to it--in u
quiet way, You know"
"How should know any thing Of bey
moneys" | demanded, in quick snd en-
phatio tone, fixed my eyes steadily upon
the thin, sharp face Of the old man.
"Oh, that would not DO difficult mat
ter, as often as you 60 in and out of my
roornl' said Letitia, seeing that her father
quail beneath my glance.
"And what right have you to insin.
uate such thing of ne the right that
tho rich assume over thj poori' I asked.
No" such night, Miss" reported Latitia.
"But when women shows herself TO be
wanting of ono essential virtue, people
more reality suspec. her Of lacking Others.
so | believe that you arc able to tell me
something OF my money, rather than other
servents who havoalways shown themselves
strictly honorable in every thing!
"And is this all you have to say to msi'
ask glaacins round upoa the lille Assem-
bly,.
"Alll Is is not enough, young womani"
exclaimed Mr.. Langdon.
"Enoughi Certainly, sir" 1 answered,
turning to leave the room; bu! at the door
was metby an officer, who thrust search
.warrent in my face. q
ACCORDING to law, r adam" ho said
preceding mo cp stairs, "slch things mast
be looked into
l glanced aroual at lhe little group that
was following me, to SEQ If there was one
pitinyg human face in it; but | looked in
vain. Every countcnanco was as hard
and cold as granite. Why, oh why, did
not some kind angel send Mr.. HOrwar1
to me a,that moment ofporili
"What makes you so pale, Nellyp
sneerol Letitia, as leaned trenbIingly
against the window for support.
| did not answer her, but watched the
pompous official as he carefully searched ev-
cry article ofolothing in my trunk with a
perseverance that was worthy OF
better cause.
"Nothing here, SIR" ho said st last,
rising to his feet and facing Mr.. Langdon.
" Hore is another box" broke ip Letitia,
pointing to a writing desk that stood upon
the table.
Again ,hc man Of law commenced hia
duty, with smi G Of bopelightng up his fea.
tures. He held up to tho wondering com
pany q short gold chain, which bad been n
gift Of my mothers before she died; and
then n plain dlog ring, which bore tho
enitals &C. II. A.. A murmur of dis.
pleasure went round thecrcle at tho dicov :
ery Of the rin3, and before it had died
away the officer turned out of small box
three soverigns.
any moueyl my money!" screamed
Letitia. "lti. exactly the number extracted
from my pursep
"WhaL have YOU to say now, Missf"
asked Mr. Langion, coming up tome and
laying us thin hand upon my arm.
That NJ IS LeLitia Langlon placed tho
money there herself, sir" answ red slowly
and distinctly.
"Do you hear that, Mr.. etflcerl" called
the axcited old man. "Tske her away into
the street, to the Jail, any where! wont
have her in my house another moment,
sir The Jail is the place for tho thieying
creature!
No, no, farther, don't say that; don't
be too harsh!" cried Letita. at is my
iare allow me to settle it With her. |
know you will, father!
You are too kind, too forgivingr " said
The old man, placing his hands foodly on
The head Of bis child. "The jail is the
place for her, Letitla"
"But do not think ofthai, father; she is
young, very young, remember, and is with
out friends. Tho SIMS against me; lot mo
deal with her. Go away, all OF you, aud
leave US togehter." s
Slowly Mr.. Langion yielded TO his
daughters wishes, and preceded the house
hold to the door.
"You can choose, Nelly,r began Letitia,
wehn we.were left alone, "between two
alternatives; you can 60 10 jail or leave
| tho place at once. Choose between tho two