The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-12-08

lalieu ny uliii III lew simple WORDS, HIS
very tones Of semi indifference had a
wondrcus power of conviction !; and,
moreover,my own common sense respon-
ded to the assertion that change Of
manner would be fatal. saw my way
now straight before me, plaia and easy
as an ordinary transaction of life, and
the horizon grew bright with hope,
Warmly thanking my friend for the
invaluable benefit of his shrewd sense
and convincing advice,1 withdrew to ma.
room,my mind filed with more sanguine
projects, more tangible hopes, than had
yetindulged in since the beginning of
my adventure.
w.
AT length the mementous morning
dawned We had prolonged our few
|days' stay to week, and our host had
evidently determined not to renew his
invitation, spite of the manifest pleasure
my company gave him; so,almost before
could realize it, the eventful day arriv-
ed
l passed a sleepless and disturbed
night. several times starting from con-
fused, dreamy rehearsal of the interview
1 intended demanding in the morning, to
fancy l heard whispering voices and
confused sounds about the house, quite
impossible at that late hour Visions
floated before me of the already ap-
preaching future the events of the last
few days seemed to spread back over
half my life,so great was the Importance
attached to their issue; and now the cul-
minating point was reached, l felt al
ready the overshadowing of my victory !;
for had l not fulfilled every condition
had l not accomplished the task in which
every other competitor had failed9 And
the question of the young lady's possi-
BILE opposition was merely doubtful
enough to give excitement to the denoue-
ment Did not all young ladies first op-
pose, and ultimately yield, with very lit
tie persuasion, to all parents and guardi-
ans2 How much more so then, in the
present case, where the circumstances
were so exceptionally strong in my fa-
vor!
i had not been long awake, and was
debating in my own mind whether or not
to start on an early walk, and by dose
of fresh air to brace up my shattered
nerves and stimulate them for the com
ing scene, when | was startled from my
cogitation by tap at the door, and al
most Immediately Mr. Merricks servant
stood before me- This was most un-
precedented occurrence; hitherto ser
want had never entered my room without
being summoned, and this man seldom
ever then.
"A vague presentiment Of evil seized
me, and I turned uneasily to look at him.
One glance suff1eed ;he was ghastly pale,
and seemed half insane with alarm. Ut
teriy unable to conjecture the cause, hut
leesssssaathat something terrible must
have happened, / gasped, ''What is it?''
"Oh, sir! don't you kuow?' said he
"are you sure you don't know? They're
gone, sir-bolted-M Fred and Miss
Bella-tse two of them, and the new
maid-of in a post chaise three good
hours ago; and who is to tell the COVER
nor don't know; daren't."
The man might have gone on speak
ing forever-in fact be did go on; but
beyond those first few words not sylIa.
bic was intelligihle to me. My first i'm
pulse was to bound up and strangle him
tthen and there, but the effort was a mis-.
erable failure, and fell back poweress,
paralyzed
T No suspicion of possible mistake
no crumb of comfort ina momentary
feeling of incredulity, sustained me: the
mans manner bore the stamp of truth
his terror was too real, his statement too
concise to leave room for a doubt. 1t
was by no process of reasoning, by ro
mental review, by no recapitulation ol
events that the light broke in at me, but
suddenly, in an instant, with the violence
of galvanic shock, L realized how COM
pletely had been sold, utilized, taken
lin.
At last,a movement on the part of the
lservant attracted my attention; he was
handing me letter, and had probably
been describing how it came into his pos.
session, but of this I had not heard 9
word. My sensations can be neither i'm
asined nor described when, ON looking
at it, I recognized the writing of my
traitorous friend. Had the viper left his
sting there2 / hcsitated to touch the
dishoEored paper. At that moment 8
violent ringing of bells announced Mr.
Merrick's leuee; and throwing the note
on the table, the distracted servant rush.
ed from the room, muttering, 81 canno,
tell i'll cannot. Thomas must 60 tC
him."
Alone with my enemy, I screwed up
|my courage and broke the seal. The
note was short, and ran rs follows:
"DEAR JACK: Pray accept my bes
thanks. But for your efficient aid We
could never have successfully hood
winked old Argus. You are an apt pu
Ipil, and sincerely wish you equal sue
cess in all your future undertakings
Yours, by all the bonds of gratitude,
FRED CLAYTON
"P. S.-Bella insists on apologing sc
| inclose"
There was then another epistle
looked about; it had fallen on the floor
Iopened it mechanically, and read:
"DEAR Mr.. HARRIS: hope you vii
forgive Fred. What he did was for my
happiness. We have long been attach
ed, and secretly engaged; but my uncle
was so obdurate and so vigilant, that ar
elopement was our only refuge, and, but
fol your assistance, could not have beer
effected. Trusting soon to receive from
your own lips pardon for harmless
stratagem, believe me, yours, (by the
time you receive this,
BELLA sCLAYToN' EEFING
"Please, sir, Mr. Merrick wishes tc
speak to YOU"
The door of my loom was wide open
and on its Threshold stood the old but
er, grim ahd severe OF aspect. / fol
lowed him silently, too full of bitterness
for words, but solacing myself with the
reflection that in my host I should find
"a thorough sympathizer in my over
whelming anger and indignation.
l was usliered into a small sitting
/