The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-08-13

said, in tone of vexation, and came out,
carefully closing and locking her door af-
ter her. So much the betterl l knew
another way to reach her room-by going
through my mothers, and my mother had
gone herself for her violet silk, so there
was no danger Of being waylaid This
plan succeeded, and l stepped boldly
into the pretty chamber, where
subtle perfume of heliotrope pervaded
the air. Emily had laid out AN her dresses
on the bed, and her trunk was opeu. l
wondered Il she would have the effrontery
to send for It some time. But my business
was with letters, not dresses, so sought
the little desk-tahle; the true key was in
the lock this time, and in moment pos
sessed myself of the fatal documents.
How fortunate that Flora came just at
that time, for it might be that Emily was
about unlocking that desk to destroy the
papers! My heart beat fast with excite
ment as I left the room again, by the same
way that l entered, and fastened to my
little den, fight above, boiling my door
after me.
Then sat down and wrote letter to
Philip Rayburn, telling him all had heard,
and all 1 had done, enclosing the sheets of
paper as proofs. 1 felt very manly at last,
so to vindicate my sister truth; and it made
me smile 70 be able to write that / expect
Cd him to apologize fully to Louise, and
after that never to darken our doors again.
I finished the letter, sealed it, cOaxed the
butler to deliver it at once into Mr.. Ray
burns hands, and had ten minutes to COM
pose myself before Emily politely attended
L % TNhav, cbo
to her room again.
Ny spirits ran so high I could hardly
keep from shouting my secret aloud. l
chamber, like mariana in the moated
grange" and kissed her hand again and
again, telling her I would set everything
right, while she looked at me halffright.
ened, and wholly puzzled. Then initial.
ed an Indian war-whoop at Emily's key.
hole, and as it grew darker lay in wait for
her behind an open door, and sprang out
at her when at last heard her gliding
step. / liked to see her shrink and shud.
der. At tea she was pale and thoughtful,
while my father and mother and Louise
grew kinder than ever, heaping her plate
with delicacies, and delighting to pet her.
But took no trouble to pass her anything
but strawberry jam, which l knew she
hated.
The night was clear,-there were stars
in the heavens. After tea we all went into
the parlor; Emily played, and sang, and
chatted, with now and then restless
glance at the clock on the mantel-piece.
At ten she said she would retire, and babe
us all goodnight" That was the signal
for a general departing, and before long
was going up stairs IiOisilS, so that Emily
might hear me and think all were out of her
way at last. But no sooner had slammed
my door than / turned again, and crept
down stairs quieter than any mouse, past
all the sleeping rooms, down to the draw
ing-roOm, and there waited in the dark.
l always liked to stay in the dark, imagin-
ing grotesque creatures in every corner
unseen, and there 1 lay on the sofa very
contentedly, hearing the clock tick and
my heart beat.
At last became conscious by some in
stinct finer than hearing, that Emily was
coming down from her room. The clock
chimed eleven, and 1 began to fear my
plot would fail, for why was there no word
to me from Philip How softly Emily
glided down, like some impalpable pres
ence! She stood hesitating an instant on
the lower stair, when the door-bell rang a
peal which startled all the sleepers.
/ ran out with a shout Emily would
have fed from me, but 1 caught her hand
and dragged her to the door, which l
opened. There stood Philip Rayburn,
his eyes ablaze with fierce Indignation,
grasping the fatal letters in his hand. He
held them up before Emily; he compelled
her to recognize theft meaning, then cast
ing them at her feet with gesture of ut
ter scorn, he strobe into the parlOr, draw
ing me with him.
l was proud then, as I collected all my
four feet-high dignity, and called him to
account. He did not notice my manner
though, he was too full of wrath and grief
and contrite love. ] almost began to pity
him at last, but remembered that would
never do, so l told him that accepted his
apologies, but he must never insult us by
his presence again. That moment Louise
came in hurriedly, looking terrified and
perplexed. +..,.. o,s.. NIL,
the bell, and why is the door open' o
Phizip!"
II will 90 and find Emily" said. al
will leave you with Mr.. Rayburn. He has
q confession to make to you, Louise, and
after that you will forbid him the housed"
Emily was not to be found; l hunted
for her above and below, but she was gone
Tie hall-doof still stood open. She had
fled away with her guilty conscience un-
der the keen-eyed stars. So went back
to the parlor without her; Louise and
Philip were at the door.
81 will come early tomorrow" he said,
smiling brightly, and Louise smiled
brightly too.
dWhat have you not forbidden him
the house," exclaimed.
mo, Charlie! That 1 cannot dot"
And with an astonishing lack ofspirit she
let him fold her in his arms.
have decided to have nothing more to
do with my sisters love-affairs or the
family dignity. My little part is played,
and now / will hide away behind the cur
tain with my dreams Of fairies and ellis
The drgosS.