Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-03-01
MONTPELIER, FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1914


turning sharply upon his partner "What do you
mean? What is you object|
Mr. BelIamy," said Acrait, pale as death, and
much excited, "yOu must not go until you have
satisfied me on point Of life and death to both
OF us. Your conduct is a mystery. ] cannot ex-
PLAIN II. know not what are the motives which
acuate you. These are known to yourself Let
them be So But have squesion to ask, and
you must and shall answer i'll"
"uuSt and shaH MIR. Allcrali Take care
pray, take care o your expressions. You will
commit Yourself When will you cease to be n
very young man? | will answer voluntarily any
question pul TO me by any gentleman. Must and
stat never forced syllable from my lips yet
Row, sir ask what you please"
MIR. Bclamy," continued AlIcrait, your pro.
petty is announced for public sele."
1t is" sud Bethany.
And the announcement has your sanction p
II has"
"And viii! The sum realized from that sale you
propose To-
MicIme stopped, us though lie wished his part
ner TO fiji mp the sentence,
Go on, sir" snid the proprietor.
with the sum thus realized, ! say, you pro-
pose 10 make good the losses which the bank has
suffered by your inprovdence -
=" Not eXncily. Is there any thing else ?"
"Oh, MIR. Bethany, you cannot mean what you
say ? am sure you cannot. You are aware of
our condition. You know that there needs only
II breath to destroy us in one moment for ever
At this very time your purpose is known to the
world; md, before we can prevent il, the bank
may he run upon and anuhlaled. Whit will be
sand oil your proceedings How can you recon-
ellie the answer which you hive lust now given
to me, with your vaunted high sense of honor, or
even with your own most worldly interests ?"
{" Have you finished sir p said Beutny, in
quiet voice.
"No!" exclaimed Michael, in us angry n tone
of Indignation "no. have not finished. | call
upon you, Mr. Beany, TO mark my words; to
mark and heed them-ior, so Heaven help me, [
bid you listen TO the ruth. Quiet and easy as YOU
profess to b., will be CoZened by YOU no longer
II you carry out your work, your doings shall be
told to every human soul within Hundred miles
of whGre you stand You shall he exhibited
where you are. If every farthng got from the
sale of this estate be not given up TO deiray your
past eXtraNasHncC, You shall be branded you
deserve Air. Bethany you have deceived me
TO- many years. DO not deceive yourself now"
Have you finished, sir 7" repeated Mr.. Bella.
my.
"Yes--with n sentence. If you are mad--l
will be resoue. Persist in your determination,
and the bank shall stop this very night"
"And lei 1t STOP said Bcany "by all means
let it stop. II it be a necessary, inevitable ar
rangemeni, would not interfere with it for the
world. Act, MIR. Allcrait, precisely as you think
proper. 1t is al ask on my own account. have
unfortunately private debts TO n very large amount.
What is still more unfortunate, they must be paid.
| have no means oil paying them except by sell
ling my estate, and therefore It must 30. hope
! you are satisfied I"
! Michael threw himself into a chair and moved
| about in il, grooming. Mr. Belamy closed the
! door, md approached INN.
"rhis is very unnecessary display of feeling
| MIR. Allcrait,'' said the mperturable Bethany =
"very-and eau answer no good end. The Thing
| us have iold you, is inevitable"
| 'Nu-no--no, cried Acrait, inploringIy; mot
| so, Mr.. Belamy. Think again-ponder well oul
! dreadful situation. III fleet that before another
day is gone, we may he ruined beggared, and that
! this very property may he wreslcd from you 10y
our angry creditors. What will become of us
For Heavens sake, my dear good sir, do not rush
! bndy upon destruction. DO not suffer us 10 he
hooed, tampled upon, despised, cursed by ever,
| mun that meets us. You can save us il you vii
do it Ihen-be generous be JUST
AS for being just, Mr.. Allcrait, replied Belamy
composedly, 'tho less We speak shout That matter
The better. Had justice been ever taken into &c
count, you aud | would, IN all probability, no
have met on the present business | cannot Iel;
saying, ,hut, when you are ready uslil, to M
! your conduct in respect of your late fathers La
i hiilcs | shall he more disposed to listen TO an,
Thing You may have 10 urge ~ reason touching
the produce OF tlIls estate. Unul Ihat time, an
an unmoyed uIan. You conceive me 2
perceive your drIit-l am awure--Alr Bethany,
continued Ihe unhappy speaker, stamtnering uni
he almost burst with rage. You are villain
You have heard of my misiorunes, and you TAX
mean advantage OF your knowledge to crust
aud kill m. You are Il ylllian, ana defy you =
Mr. Bethany novel lesurcly to the fire place
and rang the bell. The stout genllemaL in plus
walked in, and the landed proprietor pointed /,
the door,
For Mr.. Allcrait, William said the squire.
VERY well said Michael, white with agita
ton very well! AS sure us you are Twin
mum, your ruin shall bc coincident with mine
Not step shall fall down which you shall no
follow and be dragged yourself You shall no
be spared one paug | warn you of your fate
and 1t shall come sooner thai you look Tor it,
Pooh, pooh you have been drinking, Mr.. All
craft
You lie, sir, as you have lied for months au,
years lived upon lies, and'-
/ You need not say another word. You sla
finish your sentence, sir, elsewhere. Begone
William, show Mir. AIlcralt TO the door,
William pretended 10 look very absent again
and bowed. Michael stared al him for secon
or Two, us if conc uuded aud then, like mad
'man, rushed from The room and house.
CHAP vI-THE CRASH.
The plans and Objects oi Mr. Walter Bellam
were best known 10 himself Whatever lhey mig
be, he diyerged from them for II few hours in or
der to give hs miserable partner The opporun,i
he had promised HIM, OF completing thai very in
auspiciuus seuleuce-the last which he had utter
ed IN Mr. Bellany's house previously 10 his uL
} rupt departure.
Michael had moi been in The banking house a
hour alter his return from The Hall before no wa
visited by buslness-ike gentleman, who nrodU
/ ced himself as HE particular friend Of Mr.. Bella
, my, on whose particular business he prolessed
cone Allcrat, with his BRAN on fire, receive
the visit OF Ihs man with secret giec. All ii
way home he had prayed that Bellumy migl
b, prove ns good as his word, and moi Tail to deman
Immediate satisfaction. lie longed for death wit
: a full aud yearning desire, and he could kiss til
hand that would be mercilul aud give the ati
/ blow. A suicide ut heart, il was something to es
cape The gull aud punishment of seli-murder.-
c Bethany was repuled 6rsl-rate shot, Mchae
was aware OF the lact and Rugged the conscious
/ ness 10 his soul lie would not detract from hi
reputation; the duellist should add another laurt