The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-11-04
CHAPTER NNNII.


have had dreadful shock to-day,
[ can't see why | am so unnerved by
it, since it was certainly not unexpect-
ed.
The weather being inclement, l
rode home in the horse-car, and was
the unintentional listener to a conver-
sation, which has greatly disturbed
my peace of my mind. l learned
from it the real position OF my broth
er-in-law holds in the estimation Of
the business world, which | regret to
state only coroborates what | have
thought all along of the man Belle has
married.
[ gather from what they state, that
he is on the verge of utter ruin, that
hundreds of persons who have deposited
their property in the safe-keeping of
his bank, are trembling for its secu-
rity. These persons, having no con-
fdence in his honesty, it seems are
determined upon justice in case their
suspicious are verified.
Though L heard him reviled, the,
same tongues exhonorated his brother
John from all implication in his roguery
Poor Belle what blight to fall
upon her young womanhood, and
yet what a judgment.
Of course | cannot go to her with
this direful tale, for the blow will fall
soon enough, if it cannot be averted,
and I would have this brightness
heightened as much as possible.
Knowing as much as | do, | am re-
solved upon fathoming it all. and con-
fide my secret to Mr.. Herrick at my
earliest opportunity, begging for and
learning the exact truth.
He tells me that contrary to his
most earnest entreaties, commands,
threats ETC., his brother would invest
thousands, and thousands of dollars,
mostly the property of others, in a
wild speculation, which however to
him appears certain success in the
near future.
His entire life, one might say, I
learn upon single turn of fortunes
wheel, which will either pour upon
him a shower of gold, or sweep away
in ruthless haste, far from the reach
of its owners, the carefully earned, or
inherited wealth of hundreds; who are
now clamoring for, their own, only to
be rendered more defiant by the bland
smiles and promises of the banker,
who says "every cent is safe, and shall
be promptly paid in ashort while
A tempest is gathering on the brows
of many men, and storm is brew
ing in countless hearts.
AS he completes these details, Mr..
Herrick takes my cold hand in his
saying in his slow deliberate way
whatever comes / shall stand by
him, it was my promise made to my
mother at his fathers funeral, and my
word to her shall never be broken
I will be friend to your sister, for
her own sake, and for yours, which is
dearer. I will apprize you of any
change, which may be necessary for
your sister to return to your father,
for if it comes to the worst, her hus-
bands haunts will be no place for
her, for he will either be hunted ex-
lie from the face of men, or the in
mate of a felon's CELL"
With hands removed from mine,
and covering his eyes, he tries to shut
OoG LAO utiS CIt1ICu lOTbu, LIl6
vision that refuses to withdraw. And
this is Bellies bargain; for this she has
sold herself
Whatsoever man soweth. that
shall he also reap" Behold as Joeps
wife what future might not be before
her, instead of thus, tied to a probable
convict, man whose record her child
must blush to scan
IL will break f.tho-'.s heart when If
comes, if come this fearful blow
should.
June brings with it yet another
commencement for my participation.
Of course my heart throbs with ankle
ty, when my pupils appear before the
public, but they aquit themselves so
well, all alarm was uufounded, and
mid applause and congratulations