The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1880-12-18

i W0ulQ leave ner 10 ner IaLe, out Tor
Charlotte Wallingford, who has
been tied to her apron string. AS
for her, | expect if the whole truth
was known, she is no better than
Viola Bramlett. | wouldn'tbe sur
prised if it should turn out after all
that she was as guilty as her par
ticular friend"
"If were TO tell all the tales of
slimy SANDER that were put in cir
cuiation by Miss Tadpoddle and her
friends, it would occupy too much
time and would bore my audience.
Suffice it to say that Ilottie's spot
less name came out unscathed. Il
/ was impossible to. Aaep Lottie in
being circulateo Dy Malicious
old hags, though | had done my
best to do it. They always man
aged some how to let the parties
slandered know the fact. at any
rate such was the case in this IN
stance; bat to my utter astonish-
ment Lottie seemed to be unmoved
by it. No evidence Of anger or an
noyance was exhibited by her; but
she smiled derisiyely, remarking
that if it afforded Miss Tadpoddle
pleasure to wag her tongue, she had
no objections to urge against ii.
One bright sunny evening, when
the atmosphereswas soft and lnvig-
orating-I think it was about three
weeks after Harry had started for
California; was strolling alone,in
DR.. Dodson's flower garden, busily
occupied in castle building-my
usual trade when not with compa-
ny. The Doctor had a wonderful
passion for flowers, and kept frst
class gardener employed all the
time to attend to this department.
He had an acre Of ground inclosed
senarate from his vegetable garden.
which was devoted solely to the
production ofrare flowers. A large
conservatory had been built near
the center Of the garden; and Just
behind it there was an arbor built
of lattice-work, similar to the one
Mr.. Rockland had built for Lottie.
1t was to that quiet and lovely spot
| | strolled, in order to have one of
my silent mental Conversations
My mind was greatly disturbed and
i'll at ease, in consequence of oc-
currences that had been transpiring
during the last three weeks. | did.
not like the state of affairs, and l
wanted to steal away and be alone,
SO | could sum up things and see if
| could make any sure guess as to
the future. The painful situation
in which Lottie was placed, was q
source of great uneasiness to ms,
and l began to think that it vas my
duty to extricate her if possible. |
had mentioned the subject to Mr..
Rockland, and he promised to en-
deavor to persuade Lotto to cease
, her sojourn at the Jail, for he agreed
with me that the proof fixed Viola's
guilt beyond question. But when
he mentioned the subject to Lottie
she peremptorily refused to aban-
} don Miss Bramlett, yowing that she
was innocent and that she never
would forsake her. ! had another
interview with Dabhs and Tadpod-
: die, who had discovered new
! batch Of evidence that appeared to
settle the question as to Viola's
guilt so completely that it was use.
less to make any farther fight in
I her behalf. The truth isl had lost
} all hopes at last, and the main con.
sideration, to be considered next.
: was how to get Lottie away from
the Jail. | was we'll aware oftbe
J tact.thatI was treading on danger.
GUS ground, when ! ventured 70 talk
70 Lottie about Yiola's guilt 7
, took a seat on lowlwooden bench
in the arbor, and gave the rein 10
my thoughts. They strayed back
to ny boyhood days, when was
tramping along the road with Lot
} tie by my side; then they dashed ol.
} to California and aadeasored Is in.
; Eterview Harry but that was 4 laii.
ure. Next they went to the iail
$ and took a tilt at Miss Bramlett
J who was soon to be tried for nt,f-
/. der without d glimmering hone 81
Z acquitial--that made my heart feel
heavy, My thoughts next snatohed
: up Loltie'a lovely image and placed
lIlt before me--then my heart grew
: Light again. I tried to fastea. my
thoughts On that dear image, but
: couldn't doit; for, in spite of ne,
7 they would wander Of 10 unplaas.
: ant subjects 4 dozen little birds
/ iaafsa