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A little, ill-featured man, with a small, but florid face, a keen, lecherous eye, leans on his arm. They are in earnest conversation. "I think the mystery is nearly cleared up, Keepum" says Snivel. "There seems no getting a clue to the early history of this Madame Montford, 'tis true. Even those who introduced her to Charleston society know nothing of her beyond a certain period.
"A light! a light, bring a light, Cato!" he demands, and the old negro hastens to obey. In the confusion of the movement, Keepum reaches the street in safety and hastens to his home, leaving his companion to take care of himself. A pale gleam of light streams into the open door, discovering a tall dusky figure moving noiselessly towards it.
Keepum, how many mortgages of plantation he has foreclosed, how many high old families he has reduced to abject poverty, or how many poor but respectable families he has disgraced. He has a reputation for loaning money to parents, that he may rob their daughters of that jewel the world refuses to give them back. And yet our best society honor him, fawn over him, and bow to him.
"You are never without some kind of news-mostly bad!" says Keepum, flinging himself into a chair, with an air of restored confidence. Mr. Snivel bows, thanks the gentleman for the compliment, and commences to read. Every soul on board, except the Captain and second mate, perished. The gale was one of the worst ever known on this coast-'" "The worst ever known on this coast!" ejaculates Mr.
A less penetrating observer than the chivalrous Keepum, might have discovered in Maria a spirit he could not so easily humble to his uses. It is the modest, thoughtful woman, you cannot make lick the dust in sorrow and tears. "Coward! you laid ruffian hands on me!" says Maria, again towering to her height, and giving vent to her feelings.
Wilhelmina gazed at it blankly, then flushed and turned away as she felt Hungry Bill's eyes upon her. He was a disreputable old wretch, who imputed to others the base motives which governed his own acts; and when she read his black heart Wilhelmina straightened up and gave him back the stone. "No, you keepum!" protested Hungry. "Hi-ko ketchum plenty mo'." But Wilhelmina shook her head.
And having somewhat relieved the Antiquary's mind of its apprehensions, for McArthur stood in great fear of duns, Mr. Keepum pops, uninvited, into the "back parlor," where he has not long been when Maria's screams for assistance break forth. "Ah! I am old-there is not much left me now. Yes, I am old, my infirmities are upon me. Pray, good man, spare me my daughter.
The time, nevertheless, is arrived when he is expected to return the little amount borrowed of Keepum, through the agency of Mr. Snivel. Again and again has he been notified that he must pay or go to that place in which we lock up all our very estimable "first families," whose money has taken wings and flown away.
Maria answers him only with a look of scorn. She advances to the door to find it locked. "It was me-I locked it. Best to be private about the matter," says Keepum, a forced smile playing over his countenance.
Snivel, thinking it highly improper that such cries go free, catches her in his arms, and places his hand over her mouth. "Caught among queer birds at last," he says, throwing an insidious wink at Keepum. "Will flock together, eh?" As if suddenly invested with herculean strength, Maria hurls the ruffian from her, and lays him prostrate on the floor.
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