, 1840-09-05

Mary sprung to the door, and after scruti-
nizing the traveller, for such the intruder was,
by the light of a bark torch which she had
held over her head, invited him into her rus
tic home.
In a moment a gentleman of rather a low
stature, bearing a %portmanteau in his hand,
entered and gave the usual salrtatlon. Mary
called her husband to attend to the traveller,
but neither by word nor gesture did he ex-
hibit sisns of having heard her until the stran-
gers portmanteau, on touching the floor
spoke to his sordid soul of gold. The demon
was aroused, but he wore 4 smiling counter
ance.
.WeIcome, stranger. welcome!' exclaimed
GRAY, in so hurried and strange a manner,
that the traveller started back a few PAGES in
surprise: but quickly recovering himself ex-
changed situations, and seated himself on a
rude chair already placed for his convenience
before the fire.
Conversation soon commenced, nor was IT
interrupted until the night had far advanced
towards the iawn-GeOrge Somers was also,
as he said. a native of New York, and from
the neighhorhood in which Charles Gray had
lived. He Informed GRAY that he had sold
his property at the east. and emisrated to the
"El Dorado" TO 81 Speculate in lands. having
with him "a large sum of money for that pur-
pose.
Al last they all retired to rest. The trav-
eller to sleep-Gray to Lro"d over the wealth
Of his guest. What fearful thoughts passed
through the brain of the wretch that night!
How often did his eyes wander to the hunt
ing knife! Once he was about leaving the
bed. when q slight motion of his wife in her
slumbers deferred him from his murderous in
tent. Whose but the pencil of the demon
could paint the fea-s-the hoprs--the dark
resolves of the wretched Gray, while the
wearied guest slept but a few PAGES from him.
in that peace which virtue and WEAKNESS
alone can give!
The morning came, and glowing from his
ocean couch, arose the sun. gliding the distant
bluffs and surrounding forests with colors
drawn alone from the pallet of Heaven
His beams shown down upon the cottage. yet
unstained with blood. and aroused the sleep
ers. Did the evil spirit slumber in Gray's
bosom?
The simple breakfast was soon over, and
Somers asked GRAY TO set him in the nearest
road to - With a blandness NO .hy
of the days when he stood a respectable mer-
chant behind n city desk, he informed Sinners
that he would accompany him Il part of his
journey, and under pre,ence oi killing some
game, shouldered his rifle and led the way
For some time thew walked together, whilst
renewing boyhood OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
berances which called to mind many a spot
hallowed by childhood sports and parental
affection.
They had thus proceeded about three miles,
and arrived among those beautiful bluffs on
the OHIO, since rendered celebrated by a
deed which has given 4 name To Il Ii tie stream
which dashes over n precipice some hundred
feet deep. A bird swept over their heads,
and wheeling m its lIg"t Wings. lit on the
bough of IL majestic oak. which bears the
name Of snanv an ardent lover of nature
Gray asked the traveller to move onward,
while he attempted to bring down his game.
Snmers complied, and unsnspectingIy LET,
GRAY behind.
A sharp rifle crack rang through the forest,
and IA shrek mingled in its echoes. The host
WIS a murderer-i murderer for money
Blood may be shed for revenge. and our svm-
pa,hies NAV be excited for the assassin--but
who can find "A chord in his heart from which
pity may draw note of feeling for him who,
with blood-siained fingers. holds the glittering
coin before his Eager eye?
Gray soon disposed Of the body by hurting
it over the precipice. AS il went numbering
through the scrubs and jagged rocks that lin
ed the chas n, he perhaps felt renorsr, bit it
was but for a moment. With eager hands he
opened the portmanteau. aud rolling out the
coin upon the leaves, for some min
utes gloaied over his wealth. for the country
was almost uninhabited, and his demon spirit
could rejoice in its riches undisturbed.
On returning home he deposited his ill-got-
ten gold in the chest. His wife heard the
ringing of the coin. and her quick mind told
her that Charles Gray, her husband, he to
whom her very heart had c"nfided, was a
She tainted. The wretch heed
ed her not, but gloomiIy seated himself before
the fire. From the fnor on which she had
fallen, Mary arose an altered woman. The
lose fled from her cheek, and a grave in the
forest marked by a single stone, tells You
lies the bfoken-hearted wife. Peace