Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-04-07
@uoo SsltttrS gtcru.
nAY ANpERsoNs MAna1AeE.
ON, THE LEGENp OF ELMFoRp.
nc f.# ri onclusion.

|.H OnctuSiOn
Musgrave. for the first time, appeared TO re-
cover self-possession; he sprang from the chart
and circulating, "Claudine, thou hast runeid
me y hurried from the chamber.
There is an extent TO which human resolution
reaches which cannot be exceeded. The ten
sion Of the nerves, when overweight, give way;,
reaction succeeds, and hope and heart yield to-
gether May Anderson bore up bravely while
the full measure of Musgrave's villany was de-
tected and confirmed. But, when she reached
her private apartments, the woman returned
and the indignant feeling Of outraged conf
dence, sank into the distress that one would feel,
who had within so brief space been called up
on to lament the loss Of dead father, and worse
still, a living husband. Mr.. Cameron had in
stantly departed, to take prompt means to eject
Musgrave from place to which he had now no
claim whatever; and while the ill-used lady
gave way to grief that admitted no consolation
in her own chalnber-the ruffiln who had foully
Idishonored her Of maiden's fame, and invaded
her fathers house of life, in the hall below,
held secret conclave with his guilty companions.
In this his hour of difficulty and frame Of mind,
two better emissaries OF the arch-enemy of man
kind could not have been found, for what Clau-
dine would unscrupu!cusly advise. MacDougal
would as unscrupulosy execute.
| 'Claudine, said Musgrave, as he filled bum
per to the brim, Il drink TO thee-neycriheies
thou has ruined us beyond redemption
'Ay,' said the red MacDougal, touching that
there can be little question. The thread we
relied upon, thou hast severed. There was no.
| BILE stake TO be won or lost, and fortunately and
des perately the first throw came of. A little
patience, little management-these were only
needed, and the ball would have rolled right
II IL, Il tha
towering edifice, and the winning card passed
directly into hands that won't throw away the
advantage He filed his glass. Where shall
we have stoup this time tomorrow evening ?
Heaven knows where J!
Why why act so suddenly ? inquired Clau-
dine. There may be time 10 remedy mis-
take
To remedy the devil 7 returned the irritated
Highlander. Whatever chances we might have
had of playing on that soft girls feelings, or, at
the worst of carrying off prOperty-it is over
Thou hast made him felon'-he pointed tc
lMuSgrave-'a bigimst; twas all the old car
wanted. Musgraye, thanks to thy folly, mus
off ere morning, or else he will be in Carlisle
within the weekly, and forwarded 10 thu
plantations, after the next Judge comes round.
What means bigamy p said Claudine, sharp
ly.-
1T means replied the Highlander, the crim
"a man commits, who has already loving viii
like thee, and inlermarries with another. Al
necessary TO establish his guilt, is the evidenc
which thou hast etfectually supplied. Well
where will lie the profit of thts feat Thol
hast. ceres, for the present, the honor of a pau
per husband-and May Anderson will soon re
, place the loss-for fifteen thousand Englis
pounds do rot 60 long begging on the Border
and May saS free US air.
Must both wives be aliyeP asked Claudine
Yes. How else could man have tWo?'
And would the removal of one OF ther
avert the penal consequencesT inquired the Ia
dy.
Undoubtedly returned the Highlander
Evidence were III that case wanted. Art tho
sleeping, MuSgraVs? BY Heaven! think a
thy energies are gone. The business might y6
be remedled,' sr.. 5000.
No, no. returned the wretohed man 'it
too late--too late. The sheriff and his follow
ers will be here 10 doubt, tomorrow, al
then -....
What then p asked MacDougal.
Just what thou predicted minute since
To convict for bigamy it seem, both wifi
must be alive. Might not one die suddenly
Ha
sNo-no-no. The father--the fatEsr--th
was enough. But-but-Self. Srservation-
Ves that was . safe argument. Angus, II
friend, wilt thou 2 and hO paused.
Will | do what p replied the Highlander,
There is a room at the end of the gallery l
stairS-lnl once within it and--and'-
You would murder again by proxy sa
MaeDougal with a suecr Not /, by the Ii
ing Lord! | struck for thee boldest stroke ii
ever Aud Reekie witnessed. I'll no more
it. No!--An thou canst not save thyGs
why
,Musgrrvev exclaimed Claudine, pasSionat
iy, swhen knew thee first, thou used TO bra
be it with the bes.. Thou crossed blades W
Melmonte and d'Aubigny; aud two mere mol
swordsmen France could not produce. n
thou disiraa-impoten of mindG In
devils name, what has bewitohed thssS
IT'S ss d tlAt thu enemy Of man is ever in
tendance when evoked by the wicked, @ad -.
10 confirm the guilty purpose Of the de'psr