Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-11-25

ductor would nave carried her to some
lonely region of the interior, among the
valleys and mountains. Yet L never see
a young girl in the streets without turn
ing TO look at her. never hear girl
ish voice without listening eagerly, half
fancying that it may prove the voice OF
my lost JessieW
"Oh, plying heaven!" sighed DIR.
Hutton, dashing a flood of tears from
his eyes. "Will this agony never be
over?"
ave hope so, and even believe so"
answered Mrs. Preble, with the firmneSs
of an unfaltering trust in Gods mercy.
1.-The last message we received from our
enemy seems to point to some kind OF
change"
'True," assented DIR. Hutton, looking
at the message in question. "1t is un-
like the others. 1t says that his reward
is at hand He means either that he
intends to marry your daughter, or that
he intends to demand money of you for
bringing her back-or BOTH"
1--WE shall soon KNOW" said Mrs.
Preble, with forced calmness. To-day
we shall have another message, no
doubt. What will it be?"
The banker turned restlessly on his
Whatever it is, let it come!" he muir
INJURED. Anything can be borne better
than this awful suspense. Let it come! !'
AS if his impatient words had precipi-
tated crisis, a step was heard on the
walk at this moment, and ring at the
front door followed.
Another message!" breathed the
banker.
a servant soon entered, bearing let
ter, which extended to Mr.. Preble, say
ing:
"The bearer is in the hail."
With an eager gaze, the banker glan-
ced at the superscription of the missive.
at is from him :" he faltered.
He tore the envelope open.
1t contained slip of paper, of we'll
known shape and appearance, upon
which was scrawled single line, in
, an equally well-known handwriting,
which the banker exhibited to his wife
and the physician.
This line was as follows:
August 9, 1868. Atsir lviu caHr'
A shock of wonder and horror shook
the three simultaneously.
"Will call ~ cried Mr.. Preble, starting
to his feet, and glaring wildly around.
SIS coming here ?" cried Mrs. PrebIe,
also arising.
at seems so,n said DR.. Hutton, his
eyes again reverting to the message
"He will be here at six o'clock, and see
it is six already!"
Even as he spoke, the clock en- the
mantlepiece commenced striking the
appointed hour, and at that instant
heavy footsteps resounded in the hall,
approaching the library.
at is heW cried the doctor, also aris-
ing.
As the last stroke of the hour resound-
ed, the door leading from the hall again
opened.
One long and Mortified glance cast the
banker and his wife in that direction,
and then she fell heavily to the floor.
Her senses had left her. The above
we publish as specimen chapter; but
the continuation of this story will be
found only in the n. Y. Ledger. Ask
for the number dated December 4th,
which can be had at any news office or
bookstore. If you are not within reach
of a news office, you can have the Ledg-
er mailed to you for one year by send
ing three dollars to Robert Bonner, pub
Usher, 182 William street, New York
The Ledger pays more for original con-
tributions than any other periodical in
the world. 1t will publish none but the
very, very best. Its moral tone is the
purest, and its circulation the largest
Every body who takes it is happier for
having it. Leon Lewis, Mrs. Harriet
Lewis, Mrs. Southworth, Mr.. Cobb,
Professor Peck, Mary Kyle Dallas, Fan
ny Fern and Miss Dupuy will write only
for the Ledger hereafter.
Mr.. Bonner, like other leading pub
fishers, might issue three or five papers
and magazines; but he prefers to con-
centrate all his energies upon one, and
in that way to make it the best. One
Dexter is worth more than three or five
ordinary horses.
One science only can one genius fit,
SO vast is art, so narrow human wit.