The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-11-13


do not think that is it. Shall write to
/ Richmond.?''
II would advise you to do So" said the
! student 'It is proper that your father 5
affairs be attended to at once,'' and he
added as he turned away:
81 am curious to see this Marion Rhett
this unknown cousin of mine.'
That night Viola dispatched a letter to
the capital of the Old Dominion, and week
elapsed before reply came.
The letter which she received was signed
'Marion Rhctt.'' The writer expressed
! sorrow at the coloners sudden death, and
/ muchlsuiprise at the fortune that had be-
fallen him. 81 am coming down in few
days" he wrote, ''and | VIII have no rest
till the assassin is hung
II adjudge him a young man," said
Parlle moultrie, studying the chrography
/ of the Virginiau letter. ca young man
about my own age-four and twenty.
had expected to see man in the negbbor
hood of thirty. six
One evening, several days after the recep-
tion of Che letter, Marion Rhett reached the
plantation.
That he was genuine Rhett could net
be disputed. He possessed the intellectual
forehead of his revolutionary ancestors; he
could boast of the Rhett eyes, the Rhett
mouth, and the ringing melody of the Rbett
voice.
"What do you think of him ~ Viola
found time to whisper to Parl1e Moutrie.
Gle IS the person he represents himself
Sumter Rhett's son." was the students re-
ply. ''But there is something about him |
donot like, Viola. cannot explain myself
now"
Marion Rhett gradually assumed the
reins of government on the plantation. He
treated Park MDultrie deferentially for a
fortnight, when he suddenly began TO wax
cold toward him. He hintcd that there
was a good opening for law students in
Rich mond, and, unable 20 bear his ruling
, longer, and unwilling for Vola's sake to
resist afLei the manner of the Carolinian,
he quilted the estate.
Il shall feel lonely while.you are away,
PaIke,'' Viola said to him on the night prior
to his departure. ''E do not like my cousin;
He treats me kindly: he isvery entertaining.
but there is something about him | do not
like
Park Moutrie started at her last words.
He had made use of them while addressing
her shortly after Marion Rhett's arrival on
the plantation.
"What have you discovered, Viola?"
"Nothing, Parke-oDly there is some
thing about him | Go not like. ! cam OF
explain myself"
Parke Moultrie kissed Viola Rbett before
he went away, and a week later a letter
informed her that he had opened law Of
flee in Petersburg, Virginia.
Occasionally, during the year that fol
lowed the departure of the student Viola
heard from him, and he from her.
To his repeated advice to watch the do
ines of Marion Rhett she at last began to
return evasive replies, and one evening the
contents ef a certain letter startled him.
Viola was about TO become the wife Of
Marion Rhett
This announcement, made by the fair
girl herself, drove Parke Moultrie from the
chair, and he started at the letter unable
TO credit the evidences of his senses.
s.He has fascinated her with those bale
fnl ewes of his - he cried, crunching the
letter in his hand. 81 love the girl she
loves me, or did. | know this BY heav-
ems his plans shall amount to nothing.
will battle him, if | am compelled to kill
him on the field o. honor. They are not
fitted for one another; the angels in Heav-
en- above revolt al this match, and the de-
mons down under the sea rejoice. lie has
charmed her, as thc serpent charms the
bird. He drove me from the plantation
that he might work with none to modest,
nor make him afraid. | will not give Viola
MP without a struggle. With the spell
broken she will return TO me. She is not
sinning-no no Marion Rhett has done
it all ~
Maddened almost beyond control, Parke
Moultrie stood over his law tables, with
bloodless lips and clenched hands. The
room was growing dark, and the lamp
lighter was making bis rounds. The law
yer's form was not visible from the street,
but his door, flung wide, told passers-by
that he had not deserted the oiHce.
/ While he stood in the dusk, slowly re
! covering from The excitement into which
! Viola's letter had thrown him, he heard {
boys voice at the door.
J "This is the place, ma'am, but | guess
Mr.. Moultiies gone out"
mo, am here,'' said the lawyer, has
tening to the door. eff the lady will step
in, I viii light the gas"
He saw the door darkened by form,
( clad in female attire, and turned the gas
on. The next moment, he closed the door
! and turned 10 his visitor.
He found a woman who had not passed
her twenty-seeond year. She was very
beautiful, fragile in form, intellectual /
counteuance, but there lurked the fire o
; passion in her dark Southern eyes, and
heightened her loveliness.