The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-02-03

or I'll force you to.
You forget that you are too weak to harm me,
returned the Attorney with a snee. But came
back TO have parting word with you. You have
broken your oath, and now look TO yourself!'
'T have did it when I was out of my head,
and perhaps may do it again; but that's not my
fault. I'm as much in for it as you are, and run
as much risk. III must be shut up for i when
get well, | must and there's the end of it,
Not quite, said Bolton edging nearer, and bend
ing down on his knees, and scowlmg in his face,
his lips qnvcling with intense wrath: mot quite
Cd you shalH-herc, on this very spot a
fearful one!'
My God! Bolton, what do You meant exclaimed
Wilkins, attempting TO SIT up. But Bolton thrust
him back with n violence that made his head lhump
against the floor, even though the pillow.
You'll find ont my meaning soon cnoush!' said
he. dragging the pillow from under Wilkins head
aud seating himself as,ride of his breast. II ever
mortal countcnnncc bore the impress of agonizlng
fear, it was stamped upon that of the sick man.
Blu, still he attempted to laugh-and such laugh!
IA wild discordan, Shout, whose tones deepened
into yell of terror; for Bolton was attempting TO
dying though he was, the struggle was fearlul.-
/ Twice was the pillow thrust upon his mouth, and
as often forced away by the victim. lie succeed
ed in exricalng his arms from the bed clothes
! in Tho hair nC thn lin
! by sheer violence bore him back to the floor
Bolton lcapcd to his feet, and Wilkins did the
same. Hardened, resolule as the lawyer was, he
shank Gom the blazing eye, and maniac look of
the frantic and desperate being who confronted
him, It was only for moment. Again Bolton
sprang upon him and bore him to the floor, and
before he could recover himself he seized the bed !,
dragged to him, threw i, directly npon him,
sprans upon it. and stretching himself at full length
upon it, held it down by the whole weight of his
body. Terrible indeed were the struggles Of the
wrclchcd man who wrilhed and twisted beneath!
But Bolton kept his hold until they grew more and
more feeble, and the smolhcIcd clics ccascd--anG
all was quiet Then he rose and spread the he'd
us before; and dragging the body to it, deposited
it in its place, removing all traces Of the struggle,
and composing the limbs, as If the troubled .pril
which once animated tina, clay had gone on It's long
journe, without mortal Intervention.
While he was bending over the ghas,ly face of
his victim he heard the step of some one on the
stairs InslincliveIy he sprars through the door and
In, ,i, Il Al ,bo bnnl Of Ia, L..
rlct a man who spoke 10 him. lie recognized the
voice Of the physialn, bu, made no reply; and
hurying past him, darted into the streets. AT
length, weary and broken down, he found himself
4, the door Of his Office
Pale, conscience stricken, with images Of fear
and horror forcing themselves into his very BRAIN
Bolton sat in his Office that night. Thee was
dead heavy weight upon him now, that he had
never felt bclore II consciousness Of crime and
blood. lie had left Wilkins stiff as stake in his
own room, dead-dead; ye, he was up and after
him now. lie never saw him, but he knew that
he was behind him gazing Il, him with that same
cold, passonless eye which had me, las he flung
him dead upon his bed. lie could not bear it,
Cone ~hat might he would face it, Rising up
and half staggering, he faced about. Hal il was
too quick for him. 1t was behind him again! God.
was TINT sigh he heard, lie fairly gaspcd for
breath, aud listened. II was only the wall.
ing of the wind through the easement. Yet SO fierce
Ind been the pang, that he sunk back in his chair
with deadly flinlness over his whole frame
lie was first brought to himself by hearing n
step on the stairs, Slow, deliberate and solemn.
II broke upon his eur. There was no haste in the
tread, but no hesitation. The first feeling of the
Attorney was one Of the mos, ahjrrt terror. Ills
whole frame seemed sinking; his limbs and laws
shook, as with an aguo Ct; his fingers clutched
and The quick, hard puIsi,ions of hi, heart nigh,
have been distinctly heard. Tho steps assembled
the stairway. His first instructive impulse was to
secure the door; but the utter uselcssness of such
precauliOn struck him at The same instant. And
then the groundessncss Of his fears flashed across
him; and the improbabilily of the murder having
yet been discovered; and turning away. he had
barely time TO scat HIMSELF when n hand rested
on the knob and the door was thrown open.
lis vlser was short, squarc-buiIt man. with
dark Jewish features, bald bead, a heavy eve
brow, and halG.closcd eyes, which together with
dropping under-lip would have given rather II
sleepy, vacant look 10 his coun,enance, had it not
been redeemed by two very bright black eyes,
which were sIyly peeping from under the corner Of
Their lids, in slIorge contrast 10 the heavy Inca.
mens of the rest Of his face. Ills fame was mus
cnIar aud heavy; though he lrod with the quiet,
sicalIhy step of a cat.
His first movement, on entering the room and
ascera'nlng that Bolton was there, was to lock the
door and put the key in his pocket. Then cross.
ing into the back office he pushed chair TO the