The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-04-30
THE RECOVERED LETTERS,
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

Tl0 SunSe6 Ugut uareu ana JremDleO
among the scattered flowers and Jewels
and tiny cut-glass perfume stands that or.
namented her dressing bureau; kneeling
but not in the quiet, peaceful attitude Of
prayer. No, the beautiful scarlet lip
compressed by cruel white teeth--the
hands pressed. tightly across the forehead
the cheek white as the pallid marble oil
some fair monumental statue-all told a
far different tale than that Of a maiden
innocent prayer.
She was very beautiful, and dark with
the rich crimson of Jewish blood glowing
in her veins. although that Hebrew an.
cestry had long since been merged in the
past. Dark, with velvet-red cheeks and
glorious liquid eyes floating beneath
heavy -fringe6 lashes, while the luxuriant
black hair. brushed away from her pure
cream tinted forehead, fell in ssft massy
curls, shot with purplish shadows. Rachel
was as beautiful as Queen Esther might
have been; but how willingly would she
have exchanged all that beauty for a lit.
tie psaceP
eWhatshall I do2" she murmured, look
ing vaguely out across the sylvan beauty
Of the quiet park, all flooded in evssing
splendors. 30, merciful heaven, what's
there left for me to do? To think that
this blow should fall on me, at this mo.
ment of all others, just when the cup Of
fortune and happiness was so close to my
#lipsl tits too hard-too hardl''
/ She uttered low, bitter groan, as her
eyes fell on crumpled,. dirty half sheet
of paper that lay on the floor beside her,
evidently note.
sMy darling Rachie," it read, "don't
let your surprise and pleasure at again
hearing frem me--and so unexpectedly
too--quite overpower you. Meet me to-
night, at seven, at the weeping birch tree,
on the edge of the Lake Woods. IF
do not see you, punctual to the moment,
I shall take prompt measures to cultivate
the acquaintance of the gentleman whom
you are about to make happy. Adieu,
ma petite.
Yours, deyotedly, while the cash lasts
MALCOLM. 4
"There is no help fer it." ste moaned
to herself. awhile he retains possession
OF those letters, / am as completely his
slave as if my golden bracelet were linked
letters of iron. IF Herbert knew all, he
would be the last one to judge me harshly
for the mad, school-g girl infatuatisn that
has placed me so cruelty in Malcolm
Wayne's power. But he cannot know all
and the letters | wrote when hardly
more than a child bear cruel evidence
against me. Mol there is no help for it
/ must try what last appeal will dol''
And Rachel Piercy shrouded her rich
dress Of glimmering purple silk shot with
golden CLEANS, IN sombre black mantle
and stole down through the hanging
shadows of twilight, to the weeping birch
tree, on the outermostverge of the woods
to meet tbe hard and merciiess man who
held her fate in his hands.
He was there before her, pacing NJ
and down the smooth green sward, and
glancing ever and anon shrewdly at hil
watch; tall, stylish-looking man, with
blue eyes, fair wavy hair, and aquilint
features, while there was something
worn and Jlase in his whole appearance
that can scarcely be described. He nod
ded his head, with an intensely disagree
able smile,as Rachel swept down the mar
row path, her liquid black eyes full O
troubled light, and angry roses burning
on her cheeks.
.You hayn't grown at all ugly, my
dear Rachie," he said. in light, mock
I ing tone, as he bowed q oeremoniou
greeting. aUpon my word, you do th'
greatest credit to Mr.. Herbert Montpen
sier's choicel"
81 did not come here to listen to thi!
strain Of idle compliment" said Rachel
coldly. aWhy did you send for me2'
"To get money, Rachel, of course, ,sinc'
you will insist on coming directly to bu
siness."
"How much7" she demanded, briefly.
aWeIl-just at present--say two thou
sand dollars"
II have not got it to give you " she an
swered with desperate calmness. II hay,
already given you more, far more, than
could spare. How many hundreds hay
you taken from me before this?'
He drew q couple Of faded, time-worl
letters from his pocket, and deliberatel,
Iunfolded them.
.Verywell-letit be Just as you please
Miss Piercy. Then / shall have th
pleasure Of q personal interview with Mr