The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-01-20


"And will you swear to III
u will,' replied Bolton. "Do you wish any
farther proof"
"No, no! I'vo heard enough The next mo-
mcn the lawyer was alone.
She stole ont of the room and down the stairs,
like cowed and guilty thing. Jack Phillips met
her at the door and spoke 10 her; hut she did no
notice him. Her face was like the face of one
without life and her step was irregular and I'M
steady; and it seemed every moment that she
would fall. lie joined her and walked at her side
and she did not forbid him, nor did she seem to be
aware of his presence. lie spoke to her, but she
made no answer. Once or twice she reused to
gain breath, and looked him full in the face, al d
there was so much agony there, that he dared no,
inquire farther; but he drew her arm in his, and in
silence accompanied her until they came to Miss
Cruwiord's house. Here he stopped.
some word, Lucy said he; "you know. lwoud
do anything for you,and feel deeply interested
in your welfare as it, you were my sister indeed
do. Tell me what success you had with the law
yer Is there any hope'
SONY in heavcn-only in heaven. exclaimed
she wildly; and without saying anything farther,
she left him and entered the house.
The Attorney stood like statue, as Lucy went
out neither moving nor speaking to interrupt her.
lie heard her faint steps as she went down stairs.
lie even counted them for his sense of hearing
seemed 10 have gained ten-fold acutcness; but IL.
last she was out of hearing, and he had nothing
left but his own thoughts, Still he remained in
The same posture ofintense atenton bu, the words
which dropped from his lips showed that his mind
was running on the one engrossing scheme of his
present life,
The fact which Lucy mad communicated and
which had so startled him that in the frs, moment
of wild apprehension he had betrayed his plans,
was this: Tho will was dated on the tenth of Au-
gust; and of course purporied, unless the contrary
was shown, TO be executed on the sane day. But
during The whole of that month both Ilirgs and
Wilkins were absent from the city, and conse-
qucnlly could not have witnessed its execution,
MS too late TO alter the date mutlcrcd Bolton;
for that Is already known. They must swear that
it was signed on some other day; and we'll con-
,rye some way to account for the discrepancy be-
tween the darc and execution. Such Il variation,
with plausible reason for it, will not affect the
validity of.he will
lie went to n Shelf took down a number off
hooks, turned over the leaves of several of them,
and was soon cngrosscd in deep study, I'm safe
on that point, said he at last, throwing the book
which he was reading from him; but even MS he
spoke the color fled from his cheek, ard his look
of satisfaction was succeeded by one of The most
sickcning fear, lie mui,crcd in whisper so low |
HAT he seemed almost afraid 10 breathe it to him !
self; Gan have tod any one that it wos exc
ruicd on the tenth Of August If SO, God help
me, or I'm LOST
The day appointed for The trial n, last arrived
Il was bright golden morning, and all the world
which ilrongcd the streets seemed gay and gad
ar unlike the gaun spectre like man who sat in
he back office of the crumbling house already so
'ljcn mentioned. Mental anxiety had done its
work on the Attorney Thin he always was; but
lc had become so mcHgre and lnnk, that his flesh
cemcd TO have been starved away, until his skin
oyered only n skeleton, Although there was
Iaring concentration Of purpose in The burning
yes which glarcd from beneath his black brows,
ret on thu, day at intervals feeling Of terror, the
most nhjoct and paraIyzng, overwhelmed him,
rushing him 10 the very earth, and sweeping be-
ore it every trace of hope ard resolution, The
ext momcn, came reaction; and he sprang up
erect, his eyes flashing, his brow knit, and I'M
aunled in purpose. After one Of these cts
{ temporary weakness, he walked up and
own The room until he was perfectly culm,-.
10 stopped and laid his hand on his heart. Its
nlsa,ons were slow aud regular. lie took up
mall looking glass which hung in a corner, and
xarned his own face in it. 1t was wasted, and
ven CHASTITY lie looked into his eyes, and smil-
D.. No cowardce there at least said he. lie
'as never more collected.
As it grew close upon the hour Of ten, Bolton
ecamc more nervous and restless. lie got up,
'akeL to aid lIo stopped suddenly, took out his
apcrs, fingered them over, as if looking for par
cular one; then laid them down, wilhou, having !
zen one Of them, and crossed over to whcIc sir
Whitman was sitting, whispered joke in hs car
ughed loud, and turned suddenly away and took ,
scat. Mr. Whitman looked at him slernly and
iqnsilivcIy. lie liked not the man; but lie sup.
oscd his cause 10 be legally just one. and there
orc waived oil personal feeling. There was :
omeihiog strange in the manner Of Bolton; but
c knew that he had much u, stake and attributed
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