Year: 1873

The next morning the physician arrived at
the appointed time. Henrietta was sitting in
her room, and calling me, she put her child
in my arms, kissing it as she did SO, and say
ing


"Good-bye my darling May your angel
spirit watch over and comfort your poor heart
broken mother if you are taken from her!"


1t seemed almost mere frame that [ held
in my arms, so fragile and delicate was the
little child 1t did not cry or even whimper,
but lay in my arms, its large blue eyes fas'
tened on my face, with an unearthly stare. I
carried it down stairs, and gave it to Doctor
Green, and then-well, I will not tell Of what
happened!


It was soon over; the baby was laid on a
sofa in the room, and was told to watch it
closely, and let the doctor know if any change
took place. They were engaged in another
part of the room.


What a multitude of thoughts passed
through my mind as sat there-the sudden
change in Henrietta's character and manner
among them! pitied her most sincerely,
and the great love with which God had blessed
my life, made her lot seem all the more desc
late I thought of Owen; how | should feel
if he we're to leave me when he knew | was
"sick and sorrowful," and then [ thought of
our future My attention was then attracted
by slight movement made by the little pa
tient. called the doctor he came, and pla.
cling his finger on the tiny wrist, said


"It cannot live many more minutes


'Let me call Henrietta" I said quickly.


at is too late-the child is dead!'


Henrietta bore her loss much better than l
expected; at least, her outward signs Of grief,
were not great; yet she must have felt it
keenly. I was poor comforter; but l re-
NAMED with her as long as I could.


We had several conversations before l left,
and felt that Vas becoming quite fond of
her. did not know there was so much good
in her character, and can well understand how
excessive indulgence and i'll advice, while
young, made her what she was in the earlier
part of this history. l promised to see her
again before I was married, and then | left
her.


John came for me, and though l had been
absent only few days, he was delighted to see
me. 1t was great relief to be at home
again. I had been through so much excite
ment, and seen so much suffering, that it was
like reaching haven of rest, to be at Elm
wood.


did not reach home until late in the even:
ing, and os going to my room saw another
note lying on my table. For the first time
found myself coniecturing, how the notes
were put there. No one had access to my
room except members of the family. Could
that man, Stone, be tampering with some OF
the servants? But then remembered that it
was not probable, as man of that kind
could not be about the place without John
knowing something of it. The more |
thought of it, the more bewildered became
opened the note and read:


.'You did not meet NE at the chestnut grove, as
u.
shall take my revenge. If you should wish to
communicate with me, after reading this, address
THOMAS SMITH, Waterboro.'


I saw through this epistle at once. tie
wished to intimidate me by threatening re-
venge. did not fear that. He could not
harm, though he might annoy me. Still de-
termining to adhere to my former resolution
and remain silent, | went down stairs.


On opening the door of the dining.room |
saw gentleman standing before the fire. 1t
was dusk, and his back was toward me, so
that 1 had approached quite near, before l
discovered that it was Owen Morris.


How happy it made me to see him again
All care and anxiety vanishedin his presence,
and forgot the sad scenes had just wit
messed, on remembering that he was with me.


While we were conversing that night, | told
him Of the notes 1 had received. He said,
after listening to me


II am glad you mentioned this, Matte. |
suppose the man has some foolish idea that
you have deprived him of his property but
that is not the case know Walker would
never have left Elmwood to him, even though
he did promise it. The i'll feeling which
Stone already had for you, on account Of the
wound you gave him, has been increased by
Walkers act I will get out warrant for
Stone, and have him arrested"


"Do be careful, Owen he must be a very
desperate man, and would not hesitate to in
jure you"


81 do not intend to give him q chance. |
wish we could ascertain who it is that brings
these notes to your room. DO you suspect
any of the servantS?"


"No; the only one who ever comes in my
room is Ellen, the chambermaid. She seems
perfectly quiet and inofensive."


"Has she been living with you for any
length of timc?'


'She came about three or four months since"


"That was Just about the time of Walkers
death, was it not?


Eyes"


"Then she is the one. This man Stone has
acquired an influence over her, and she is do.
ing this for him. This is only a suspicion on
my part, but it would be we'll to watch her."


81 will try to do it. You will not be obliged
to leave home again, will you ?"


"Not until l take you with me. Are you
almost ready to go?"