The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-07-01
Vol. n.

give on No Drcn Sulk(nS nearly
three seconds"
And Mrs. ST. Aylmcr held hcl
open watch in her hand, with az
air Of particular sarcasm that Ill
ways chafcdimpaticnt, hiSh-spiritcG
Bessie
"AIy answer is what it has been
ever since you missed your Jewels
[ know nothing about them. And
| am not going to be accused any
longer Of the theft, when I am us
innocent as >ourself.' .
Her eyes shot fire now. regard
less Of the little incrclulous laugh
that came from Mrs. st Avlmcr' 5
lips.
"Inlccd BE good enough to tell
me what you propose doing, then? l
may be able to assist you in you,
contemplated departure.
"You are cruel, Mrs. st. Aylmcr.
You think I tlu,it understand what
yoJ mean. You think L don't know
THAT YOU refer to my removal as Il
branded thief. Hrs. st. Aylmer
you trea! me- rs an ignorant child,
when l am sixteen years old"
She spoke paSsionatcly, and toss
ed back the masses OF hair from her
face.
"Ycs," rcjoin"d the .ndy softly,
"you arc IL young lady Of sixteen
who has stolen my diamonds, and
who is trying to steal my son
Archic's heart. Poor, pitiful fool"'
| Her cold, fcndish manner almost
mnddcncd Bessie, and she spran9
towards her like Il li0ncss
A firm, strong arm caught her,
and faced her about.
"What is all this ? Mother, You
rang. Bessie. what do YOU mean
WHAT'S the matter p
Archibald ST. Aylmcr glanced
from the pale, wnthful face of his
mother to the glowing checks and
fiery eyes of the girl,
Mean? It means that this girl
is n low born thicf--'
Bessie raised her hand WITH a
commanding gesture and II light
i'll her eyes the lady dared not
oppose by further speech. Then
she turned 10 the young man, her
eyes fixed steadily on his wonder
ing face and u forced calm in hc>
quiet, dignifcd tones.
:Your mother accuses me of vii
fully stealing and hiding the set OF
diamonds you gave her fortnight
ago. Not satisfied with that she
insults me by saying II am seek,
ing to.-to-inveigle-.-"
Her checks famed hotly, and her
voice quivcrcd. Then; bursting in
to tears, she turned away,
"Finish it, young lady! Tell him
[ say You orc dead in love with him.
that you arc schcming and plan
ming to cntrap him into q marriage
or something worse that t---"
"Mothcr-enongh! You arc
speaking unrcasonably. You stal
that child every time you utter Il
word, and you insult me-"
But there WAS u kindlling oi
his grave eyes, and q flushing OF
his dark checks, Us he glanced al
the bowed graceful head weeping
in the corner
"Bessic, child, tell me. Did yor
take The jewels? Answer me God's
truth. Look at me, child!'
Archibald st. Aylmor was twcn
ty.seven, and he never dreamed
thSt his mothers little dependant
was aughtmoro than foolish child,
ready for n game of romps, or q
doll; but now she lifted her eyes
those deep wells Of woman's love-
and met his earnest, sorrowfu'
glance. Perhaps her gaze confirmed
his mothers word; perhaps a rcvc
lation lay in those amber-b brown
depths. At any rate. Archibald St
Aylmor felt a strange thrill quivel
over him, and he knew his face
glowed rs he turned away from her
| Hor clear voice followed after hcl
eyes.
"Mr. st. Aylmor, Inoyer 50 mucl
as saw tho diamonds since tho frs
night your mother wore them.
never knew they were gone till she
accused me of stealing them"
A scornful curl wreathcd Mrs
ST. Aylmcr's lips.
"Supposc you keep on, Miss
Brown, and inform us if the Other
charge bo truo?"
"Mother and Mr.. st. Aylme1
spoke stornly; but Bessie, will
glowing checks and misty eyes
stepped proudly forward.
Il an not ashamed to confess it
1 am going away, Mr.. ST. Aylmer
and you'll never see me or hear 0
mo again. I'm nobody but n poo