Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-09-18

! ished friends, causing her to drag out her miser-
able existence in poverty and shame-and she
shalldoubt the very existence of the God she now
worships. You scoff at my pover-you do not
know its full extent. Go home and ask your
parents why their little Carrie is weak, sickly
imbecile ask them why she shudders and strives
to escape frcm the deep shadow that wraps her
mind in its folds; why she fals into convulsions
at the sound of my voice. am the deep sladoto
and L will haunt you all to your grave. What
say you now 2"
This, AID only this,'' replied Fredric, draw
ing off his glove and splitting upon it and hurl-
ing it in his enemy's face.
Smarting with rage and pain, Mr.. Willard
seized the falling glove and involuntarily placed
his hand on the breast Of his coat as if in search
OF weapon, when a soft hand touched his arm
and a voice spoke his name. He turned and be-
held Hattie Grey, his orphan ward, standing by
his side, with her lips apart and her large eyes
painfully diated with astonishment There was
mOmentary pause of embarrassment on both
sides, and Frederic, not caring to exchange fur
ther words with his deadly foe, walked slowly
away towards Mrs. Chapelle's residence
Choking back his anger with great difficulty,
Mr. Willard spoke in low tone
% You here, Hattie ? What does this mean?''
The girl withdrew her eyes from the retreating
figure OF Frederic Southwick, and said, without
looking up at her guardians face,
- Mrs. Willard sent me to tell lou that a gen
tleman wishes to see you"
All, what is his name ?'' inquired the man
hurriedly.
g don't know" answered Hattie, in con-
strained tone . He is lawyer, l believe"
she added, as they turned from the office door
and proceeded towards home.
Not another word spoken by the two un-
til they reached the door. The young girl had
listened to the threatening language her guar
dian had addressed to Frederic South
wick, and it had given her penetrating mind full
power to lathom his character. And this was
the man whom she had believed was honorable
and good
Hattie Grey Shivered with the vague idea that
some future evil as she gazed upon her compan-
ions moody brow aud thought that the law
gave him the right to control her and the fort
of her father had bequeathed to her until she
should be Of age; but the next moment she smi-
led at her thoughts reasoning, in her innOce nee.
that Noycs Willard would have 10 motive in
wronging her, the daughter Of his friend and
cousin. And thus she dismissed the fearful pre-
sentiment
When Frederic SJuthwick arrived at his boar
ding house lie found a sanger sitting i'll the
pleasant little front room. He short, hea-
w built man Of thirty, with coal black hair and
beard. and eyes Of greyish cast. Putting aside
the paper that he perusing, he introduced
himself to Frederic as an agent for new and
elegant medical work /; and producing speci
men copy, he explained its merits and expatateG
upon its passages in glowing terms, with a ia
miliarity that seemed almost intrusive to the
young man. who listened with polite attention
until Mrs. Ch0pelle came in and summoned them
to tea. Then when they were assembled around
the table, Mr.. Homles, as he had styled himself,
commenced inquiries concerning the town
{" L see the tavern is uaoccupied," he remark
ed care'essly, as he slipped his tea" Who is
the owner
" Mr.. Noyes Willard" said Mrs Chapelie.
90 But his name is not on the sign," said the
stranger fixing his eyes on Frederic's face. II.
j. Chapelle's is the name is it not %
Mrs. Chapelle bowed.
MY husband rented the hotel some time ago."
she said quietly, " and when he ordered the sign
his own name was painted on, instead of its own
| er's''
! Il suppose then" said Frederic laughingly,
'' that the sign belongs to you, Mrs. Capelle,
! it bears your husbands name. wonder that
/ you did not remove it with the rest of your fur
niture,''
/ q could not reach it very conveniently" re-
piled Mrs. Chapelle, in the same bantereng tone,
80 and so l left it for you to get.''
"IfI must climb the post to get it, L would
| prefer to do so under the cover of darkness, for
no one could ridcuIe me then, if 1 should fall, -
said Frederic.
| The agent listened in silence to this playful
conversation and shortly afterwards introduced a
more serious subject. Immediately after tea he
! took his leave; and, donning his overcoat and
cap, Frederic started for Beechnut Farm, without
telling Mrs Chapelle the circumstances of his
quarrel with Mr.. Willard, thinking that it would
cause her needless alarm to find that the reckless
man was throwing out insinuations against heI
name and character. As he passed by the dwell
ling of Noyes Willard he saw the face of Mr.. HON.
les. the book agent, peering out from behind the
half closed shutters, and he wondered why ne
should be there but his mind was so absorbed
with the previous events of the day he soon forgot
to think of it.
The night was cold, and when Frederic arrived
within view of Beechnut Farm the house presen
ted cheerful and inviting appearance. The
long stone dwelling was brilliantly illuminated
Lights blazed from many of the windows and Z
volume of smoke issued from the tall chimneys
lr,cr r, into the frosty air in graceful llttl.