Year: 1859

|
Lucy were in the ROOM the officer had
been sent down stairs, The diamonds
were in the safe after ALL said my aunt
to me the moment entered. The Off
Ger. on pulling the drawer right out, found
them in the space behind the back of the
drawer and the safe. He says, that as
the drawer was crammed full, the case
must have got hitched against the cover of
the drawer, and when the drawer was
| pulled out, the case fell behind it, and SO
got pushed back by the drawer


L" L could see vindictive triumph in .Jo-
siah's eyes.


And now said my aunt have got
to perform an act of Justice toward Lucy.
She has been wronglully accused of steal
ing those diamonds. Under ordinary cir
cumstances, / should have felt that no re-
paratlon which l. could make would be
TOO great; but she met the accusation
with an Infamous story, story 'ich no
doubt. she had originally trumped up for
the purpose of gaining the good will and
assistance ola person who should have been
above listening to such wicked insinuations.


&" My aunt's words were positive torture
in my ears.


However continued my aunt, if Lucy
will sign paper, declaring that story ut
terly false, | will, on my part, buy her
brother of from the army, give her a
clear years wages, and, as far as | dare
in justice, not concealing what has occur
red, give her such character as may gain
her respectable place. Mr.. Chapman
will draw out the statement


"There was dead silence while Mr..
Chapman was writing; | raised my eyes
to look at Lucy. The girl was evidently
so entirely unhinged by what had occur
ed, that she seemed quite unconscious
that the matter on hand concerned her.


Now, Lucy, said Mr.. Chapman briskly
sign this


Read il to her first exclaimed my
aunt


But it is not a lie, Sir, indeed, said
Lucy family, interrupting Mr.. Chapman
as he read.


Mr. Chapman paid no attention to her
but read on to the end.


"Now," said he. we won't argue the
question Of its being lie or not that
would be an utter loss of time, for every
person OF common sense must be convin-
ced that it lie. lfyou sign that paper, you
obtain the advantage your mistress has Of
tered if You refuse, you leave this house
beggar, without character Choose
and he offered her pen.


Lucy" ! cried involuntarily


"The girl turned and looked at me
with unmeaning gaze.


"Silence = said my aunt to me in a
severe tone; don't you interfere with her.


Mr.. Chapman was whispering TO
Lucy. From what | overheard, it was
evident that he merely attributed her hesi-
tation to an obstinate persistence in her
story.


But could not keep silence. had
been forced to speak against Josiah upon
strong conviction. | should never have
felt convinced OF my mistake if thonght
the girl had signed the paper from mer-
cenary motives.


" Lucy said l. listen to me. The
question is, was Mr.. Josiah with you in
the garden that evening before the dinner
or not They say it was your interest
once to declare he was; it is now clearly
your interest to deny it, Lay aside this
wretched question of interest and speak
the truth You will have to speak the
truth one day. 1t Is better to speak it
now though it makes you a beggar, than
to speak it hereafter with shame and re.
morse


81 could see how agitated the girl was +;
pain OF irresoution flushed her face she
abruptly left Mr., Chapman, and came to
my side


:" won't sign it' shc exclaimed. 1
did speak the truth


My aunt was the first to recover from
the surprise which my conduct created