Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1845-08-22

she treubIed with agitation there was
look of determination in her countenancs
which partook of an air of defiance as she
turned hei black piercing eyes upon INC
person whose presence had occasIoned her
Joung friend such distress and terror.
Good morning, Ms. Dormer,' said he
addressing her. "As thought that you
and your niece had ruralzed pretty rea-
sonable length Of time, I have come TOR the
purpose of escorting you home"
"I regret exceedingly, Mr.. Norcross,"
she replied that you should have given your"
self 80 much hunnecessary trouble as have
not the most distant idea Of accepting you
as an escort for myself neither shall per-
nit my niece
Quite cool upon my honor, replied Nor
cross, "bu, as | am Of the honest opinion
that the authority OF a husband supercedes
even that of an aunt, shall compel my
wife to go-you may do as you ease"
"Miscreunt!" said she, agnes Dormer Is
not you wife"
"She does not pretend to deny it her.
self" he replied.
because she has not yet been undeceIV-
ed. | have Just received letter IRON
certain Mr.. Whiileton, whoseeuls to have
been favored with literal share OF your
confidence, which uniolds the whole OF
your base and iniquitous plot"
"And which is Of equal value to clean
piece of paper" replied Norcross; "ior he
has long since by perjury, fully and dis
tnctIy proved againsthin' been disqualified
from taking his oath, wbjch will OF course
prevent the letter he has favored you with
rom having any weight in a court OF JUS
tice"
"But whaLsay you to a note bearing the
. signature Of AbeI Norcross, which he on a
certain occasion wrote TO Vhia same Ar.
Whifleton!"
mo such note can be produced, for no
RI such note is in existence"
at is true!" ropIled Mrs. DoTmer, that
YOU commanded him to destroy it, and that
y he seemingly complied, lat it was another
}, letter, adroity exchanged for the one IN
I question, which he threw behind the CRATE.
. He was too cunning TO destroy that, he
y, imagined that at sone future time it might
Ihave the means Of putting money in his
purse, and the result shows that his imag.-
; nation was far from being vain one"
Ne. Vernon, whose curiosity had been
4 excited by seeing NorcrOss in the garden
now ioined The group.
,s wat length have the happiness" said
p Mrs. Dormer addressing him, to inform you
that the Two strangers, you and Mrs. Ver-
i non have 20 long and kindly entertained,
:. asking no questions, have no longer any,
- thing to conceal. Ihave this morning Oh
- tzjned possession OF facts which have laid
T. bare one Of the most viIIainous transactions
-, ever undertaken by being wearing the
n form OF humanity. The man you see be-
, ote YOU, by some means obtained the un-
- limited confidence Of the late MIR. Dormer,
3, who was my brother, and the father Of Ag-
nes, SO that in prospect Of his decease, he
, appointed him his daughters guardian, as
well as his sons who was two years older.
Shortly afterwards, Notcross lost his wife,
o. when after great deal OF opposition Oh
30 his part, Agnes came 10 reside with me-
10 One morning she received Il message from
- him requesting that size would come to his
a house without delay as he was unable, on
account of indispo5ition, to leave home
and had something Of great importance to
= communicate to her. She obeyed with re-
: Iuctance as he had Of late prosecuted her
- with the most imporLunate solicitations to
:" marry him."
"Have you heard what befel me last
night" said he, the moment she entered
"a the room where he was, Gas | was passing
IT, through the piece OF woods that lies be-
d tween here and H."
US "Ihave not" she replied.
he That is strange. expected it was all
A. over the city Uy This tine,' said he. Il
Id was wayaid by couple Of villains, who
rs robbed ne of all the money had about me
IN and intended to murder me, but after des-
perate struggle, during which | received a
lis pistol shot through my hand, made my es-
as cape" As he spoke, he removed a ban
is' dage and exhibited 10 her a small perfora-
ton in the heshy part OF the hand. Zone
Ve OF the villains" said he, resumIng his. .ac'
r. count II know"
"Know!" repeated Agnes,
'S1 "Yes, and you know him, too"
al "Who can il possibly bel" she enqulred,
NJ "His name is Philip Dormer."
IL 20 no." said Agnes, turning pale, "it
could not have been my brother"
10 at was your brother" he replied, "bf
oL voice is as familiar to me as my own. Be
N sides as there was bright moon, obtain
ra ed distinct view of his features"
"What will be the penalty of such
nj crime!" said Agnes gaspinG forT5res,h.
ii, "DesthI" He paused rnoment to o
e. serve the agony depicted in her counte
ID. ance and ther adaed, 'but Us the eulp,
is as yet secret between ourselves, I ca
ng and will save MIN on one condition"
to "Agp es tmplored him to name it,"
,"It is what I have often already solic
TO- ed Marry me and your brother is safe y
he 1usthis life be purchased at so drea'
OH ful. price," said she. "Will not my prop
I'VE ,erty-the whole Of it, answer instead!'
"Complance with the condition have
- - named is the only thing that will save him
"a ~ ! place his life in your hands. Marry me
,seu and as | have already said' he is safe; re-
ltsS req fuse and before The expiration Of another
RDO IN J.l;yar hin, m n inctirp ~