Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-04-14


60 TOR Il IN the evening.
FOR moment, it occurred to me that the
opportunity ! desired was arrived.-I could
meet the villain on his path. But second
thought satisfied me, that it would be unsafe
70 leave the will where he had concealed it. I
therefore resolved to await the fortune of the
next day, and satisfied myselfbY desiring that
ne should not delay, and not fail to let me have
inc VIII on the moment of his return. / felt
Ralle0 by the CLEAN ofmalicious triumph that
sat on the fellows countenance: and could not
FULLY diVest myself of fear that there was still
some concealed expedient of cunning yillan,y
prepared for my utter ruin.
Evening drew slowly on, and after it night:
ana alter valnly waiting for O. Rookie, sought
my room Twas In mood too restless for
sleep, and after tossing for a while, in feverish
wakefulness, l left my bed and walked to the
window, where | continued for half an hour.
looking lstlessly out upon the clouds as they
swept before the wind, which now bepan to
iall violently around the old buildingdisclosino
Dy hts the watery moon, that seemed struo-
| glng through their broken masses,o or throwing
down faint CLEANS ofEght, followed by gigantic
shadows, over the troubled surface Of the wa
tiers beneath. Twas strongly aaitated myself
| anG the comparison between nny owa dark Sc
crets, and stormy prospects, and the wild, OBJ
Ecure, and desolate scenes forced Itself anon
me. felt the Impotence of doubtful enter
PRISE, yet, under the influence ofthe late train
OF suffering and crime, felt so changed, that
looked upon myself with kind of incredulous
wonder While | was revolving over various
expedIents, thought that heard the window
OF a small closet opening, and voices whisper
ing upon the wind. applied my eye close to
the pane, but could not obtain a view close
enough to the wall | now tried TO lift the sash
but ere could sunceed in this saw a female
t9ure pass swiftly into the shrubbery under
meath, and the wind sweled into rougher
gust.as | thought could distinguish the sound
| OF the closing window. | felt much perplexed:
but, upon reflection, satisfied myself that it
could not IN any way concern my present sit
uatlon. One thing was too clearly ineligible.
" Roorke could have, as matters stood, no in
terest In betraylng me; all his interest were'in
the contrary direction. | banished the intru-
ding fear, and was about TO step into nv bed
when was startled by TIE quick opening of
my door. l had no time for speculation a
! couple ofseconds brought my tyrantinfo the
stream of moonlight which, almost at The same
instant, came in at the window.
"This Is an unreasonable hour, 81, . said I,
1 10 StCtbig Go NOu4u Sdl up ldktAOI YOU.
could not help myself; | had some ofthe
neighbours watching m. Yon bidme come
to you at once with the viii, or Id have staid
| till morning"
"Give me the will" lie handed tito me in
silence: | thought he would have retired but
| he fingered on.
"Sr," he said, "another cause of DELAY was
the drawing up Of a legal paper, necessary to
empower me to act for your honor, in taking
the necessary steps for selling the lands; and #
will be wanting III the course of the mornino.
so thought your honor might like to sign II
without delay"
alt v i'll do tomorrow, sir answered jim
patiently.
Pephaps twill beright to have some wit
ness"
81 do not see the necessity" said |, alarm
ed at the thought; "we must act discreetly,
for & time,-give me the paper"
There was pen and ink ON my dressing-table
and signed my name. almost IN The dark 10 "a
paper, the horrible contents Of which little
suspected al the moment-He now left me.
Is'ood for long time half undresSed "The
| knave," thought !, has outwitted himself af-
ter all. | can now act freely and viii have
that paper back before tomorrow night"
lay many hours awake Perpexing myself
for plan of action and was, from time to
time, disturbed by remote sounds, which, had
| thought it possible, | should ave ascrhed tc
some drunken revel in the pantry; but could
not imagine O'Roorkc to commit so great ar
| oversight, at a moment when secresy was nc
less important to his own designs, than it was
to nv safety. While | was considering OF
what | should do, fell into troubled sleep.
The next day was to me the longest l ever
passed. 1t was the last that remained to me
for the following was to be expected at Cas-
tlecorragh, and the obstacle lay yet to be reno
we'd. But how, and by what a deed For this
| was now nerved, both with the firmness o
desperation, and By those falacies which seen
TO Turk always near the guilty desire or evi
purpose. 1t is Justice" thought l. 9Th,
act was all his own. | have been the naples
instrument of crime it is fit that should b.
that of his punishment" Thus did pass thu
hours endeavouring to convert the pangs ant
fears of conscience into the selfapproval G
virtue. But had other thoughts tc settle; tn
deed was vet to be DONE and | ruminated
thousand schemes IN vain. Every thing coull
devise was Objectionable. | was surprised t
find myself so barren of resource. But | wa
also impressed with an extreme sense of tn
necessity of caution crimes had often hear
were accompanied by miatuation,-and til
murderer seldom fails to do something whic
may leap to his detection resolved to TAX
all precautions.
While was thus engaged, accident deter
mined my proceedings. 1t was some hours pas
noon, when O'Roorke, as was very usual SUI
, prised me inmy absorbed and thoughtful moot
/ felt a fear lest the villain had been hearln
nv inmost thoughts-a faculty which Away
fancied to be possessed by hun. He had throw
aside hls ordinary attire, and was now hant
, somely equipped in smart riding-dress, whic
at once recognized as my last new suit {
clothes. | opened my eyes with wonder.
smile crossed the ruffian's face, as he whppe
his boot with light silver-handled whip; an
trying to assume a gentlemanfke attitude an
tone, he said
" You know, sir, it is necessary to make
f respectable appearance, or we might eXcl'
!. suspicion. In order to save your feelings an
t prevent injury, l have brought some person
, from another place to act for US. We are
meet at the Lodge this evenng,and am con
t for the key. !,
The Lodge was favourlte cottage IN Il
t hills. nearly three miles of, IN which WI
: much accustomed to pass my time III summt
/ was now, 7 felt, much favoured IN my oble
: by this lucky move.
I" Are Won sure" said |, " that your irlen'
S re strangers here. -
t "You may depend upon it, SIR.
~ : p,+ ~, nov no seen fo0ether.