Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-20

49,
covered the fatal weapon. IL is a bright morn
inc and everything around him teens with
life. He has nut on different suit of apparel,
and as he passes through the buildings and tho
plantation grounds, where his people are al
ready busy they eye him inquistively
Steadily he pursues his way, unaware that
he il followed at q distance by one who has
lurked about the promises the best part OF the
night, watching for an opportunity OF breaking
in upon his privacy They both enter the
wood and both repair to the same spot The
murderer stands aghast at the fearful eyiden'
ees he sees Of tho deed no has committed The
ground is all cut mp where the horse struggled
and plunged and where the murdered man
fell, thore is more than one pool OF blood,
There is also clear trail from that place to
the swamp The long grass lies all one way,
hattencd down, and here and there torn up.
Some heavy body has evidently been dragged
over it But neither on this path of death, nor
on the fatal spot itself is there trace OF the lost
weapon. He tries to calm his perturbed con-
science with the reflection that the place is
solitary, and that no one is likely to pass that
way, for it lies quite out of the beaten track.
An irresistible impulse urges him to repair
once again to the border Of the swamp. He
does not mistake the place, but goes to IT
straight The water is puddled and discol-
ored He needs no explanation OF the cause.
The foul denizens of the rank pool have COM
menced their disgusting meal, and, ere sun
down, will not have left q vestige-of what was
cast there expressly for them to feed upon. he
turns aside, exulting in the crime ne has COM
mitted, and in the thought that no human
being knows Of it. when he encounters the
steady gaze of q man, whom he at once rec
ognises. He stands as If petrifsd, for there Is
something in that mans hand which tells its
own tale. IL is o terrible moment to pass, but
his iron nerves fail him not The two come to
a quick understanding aud return together to
the great house. They remain closeted for
some time, during which bargain is struck
The silent witness has received price for
holding his peace, but retains the weapon he
picked up He knows something more, too,
than he has told; but this he reserves for fu-
ture nse, in CASE Of need He goes away, leav-
ing the murderer to his reflections.
All this Marx Aveling thought Of, in the few
moments of silence that elapsed before he
again addressed Zach. The old feeling he had
experienced on finding himself confronted with
him, on that memorable morning, had again
come over him, though two years had elapsed
since they had parted, and impunity had en-
boldened and hardened him. But the con-
seriousness Of guilt had pressed heavily ON him,
nevertheless, causing him often to desire that
midnight deed were yet undone. No marvel
it came home to him now, with redoublcd
force, in the presence OF the man whom he had
believed to be the only human witness to that
crime, but who now disclosed the terrible se-
eret, that others were privy to it. He burst not
look up, but sat groaning even sobbing, with
his face buried in his hands.
"Mark Aveling,O said Zach, presently, "you
amt used me well, and Of wur mind to it,
| needn't TO 60 fur for revenge. But come,
don't be coward. It amt my interest to hang
you, and unless you gives me reason to the
contrary, I'll keep my mouth shut"
But--the--the othersn-gasped Aveling
awhat do they know? Who are they!n
81 reckon amt bound to tell on 'em," re-
piled Zach Hand as TO what they knows, may
be it's as well not to be too particular to in
quire--but III tell you what knowed."
Aveling looked eagerly at Zach, his coun-
tenance drawn down by intense anxiety
at warn't there when you looked for it,"
added Zach.
"What wasn't there-and where do you
meant" asked Mark.
at" answered the other. Edward Will
mot! Leastways, means his body. 1t didn't
stop in the place where you put it. Mark, and
the halligstors never got it. seen them as
moved it, and what's more, seen 'em do it,
Almost as soon as you was gone.o
A glimpse Of the truth flashed across Marks
mind-he leaped to his feet dashing his clench.
ed fist on the marble table, as he yehcmcntly
exclaimed:
"Niggers in tho swamp by all that's damna-
ble!D
uTho~o -. ..h;to ,.ar a,,orx -,
Mark observed Zach, aand he helpedu
Ayeling began pacing the apartment, pom
dering over the disclosure, and rejecting on
the position in which it placed him. Zach,
meanwhile, put up tho bowie knife, and re-
stored il TO its former place. Seeing that Mark
did not attempt TO break silence, he said
!" guess you've took the measure Of the
ground by this time, Marx; and needn't for
to tell smart man like you how the law stands
cons9rnin' Of niger evidence. Ef you'll let
me advise, I'D jest kip quiet. It's two year
ago
Mark stopped short and faced Grit.
Zach said he, "you know more than is
good for me, or for yourself either. But | have
thought it out, and my minds made up. |
don't ak for your advice, nor do | require it.
We've squared accounts, and Pm not afraid
Of anything you can do or say. That's my
mind on this matter. And now, please TO leave
me alone
We'll spoke up, Mark, retorted Grit EFF
that's your way Of seein' on il, Pm agreeable
I'm dog as don't bark afore he knows he can
bite, and sometimes bites and don't bark Mt
all We understands one another, | reckon !;
and there amt no love lost atween us, nor no
respect You arn't for breakfast now, ! see.
Seems the edge Of your appetite's gone, sence
we began 10 talk about business; and, 10 tell
the truth, Mark I'D rs lieve not get down to
eat along Of man that's got bloody hands.
lts unpleasant and onwholesome You've give
me your mind--thats q mossel Of mine. I've
only got one more thing to tell you and that
IL, that Leonard Wray and Miss Milly are in
this city, and that knews whar they are
8 SO do SO do |, Mister Grit replied
MaxL rxow.;cc daxLly. q h.k xvhas,s that "a