Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-01-25
CHAPTER VIII.
Il II G IL ing.

lish his innocence!
CHAPTER VIII.
The Ring.
| Rahab-ben- abel, sgreeably to his appoint
ment, was at the mansion of Col. Powell on
the following morning, but the officer had not
yet returned from his customary military du-
ties. Ams!la was alone.
"The stars are favorable" said the coniu-
rer, as Amelia entered the apartment in which
! lie had Leen waiting. The trown that had
bel0re wrnklel his brow was not there, and
smile, the first lie hsd been seen to indulge,
played about his long white beard as he took
her hand. Venus is IN the ascendant.
"Oh, Robert, Robert, are You indeed inno-
cent Of This awful crime Z" said Amelia, after
an aGiecLonate ssiuiaHon.
"As innocent as you are, Amelia, whose
gentle nature slrinkS from the thoughts of
crime," replied he; "can you not tbelieve met"
"Oh, yes, Robert, but how cruelty this
event has acerated my heart. Thank God,
you are innocent; shall, must believe you"
"BlesS YOU, Amelia; could have borne all
with fortitude but your detestation," said he
with fervtnt pressure Of her hand.
"You must acknowledge that the circum-
stances very strongly impIicale you," added
| Amelia, with an air of hesitation.
"They do, very strongly; and | wonder not
that even you should not credit ttem."
"Oh, Robert. l heeded nothing till the
thought OF your bloody hand came 10 my re-
memberance. On the very night Of the mur-
der you remember your hand was stained
with blood. Against my reason almost, re-
fused 10 believe you guilty, till ihls appalling
circumstance Tor ed me to the terrible con-
clusiOn. But you cannot blame NE :" ''
NJ l,a. 3 tha dam h o.
have convicted saint, much more an ering
creature like myself. That stain on my hand
was given me by Mr. " aldeck," and the dis
guiSed young man related the particulars of
his interview with that person on the night oil
the murder, describing how Waldeck in the
darkness Of the room had shaken hands with
HIM, and thus impaired the omD iouS stains
The other particulars, including his mid night
visit TO the goldsmith. were all detailed.
Amelia was satisfied. II her fections had
not preiudicej her in his favor, she could not
but have noticed the impress Of truth which
was craven on his manner, and fixed in his
statement. She was again happy. The ter
rible load which had oppressed her heart was
removed. The trials, the dangers. the doubt,
that attended her future cou rSe, were all un-
needed. She was convinced of her lovers in
nocence, and she was happy again, in per-
mittng her affections 10 wander back into the
old channel They could love each other;
and what if difficulties seperation, even death
ava tied them, they could still rejoice in their
mutual fidelity. .....
"Throw Off this disguise, Robert; my father,
for my sake, will not gain spurn you," said
Amelia.
"Nay, dearest, fear your father would not
give the same cIedence to Ely statements that
the ear of affection has given. | must yet
prove my innocence: must bring the real
murderer 10 justice"
"And can it be done -
at can, but must depend upon you FOX
aid. Your ring was upon the flyer Of my muir
dered ancle. This ring must be the means OF
convicting him. You must beg him TO exam
inc the shop more mnutely; assure him that
your life is bound up in that ring" ...
81 fear should not have the courage to
con(ront.a a deTrr."
my life depends upon you. He is not
cunning man, and will produce the ring"
Hush, here is my Gather," said Amelia, as
she heard the door open,
The irown resumed its sway on the confa-
rer's brow, and he was again the same stern,
immovable old man, he had been in the bali
room.
"rhe celestial science, lady is as old as the
world. The ancient kings OF Persia, Of Syria,
of Egypt, all encouraged it, and the most re-
nowned men of antiquity devoted all their tai
ents 10 the divination Of
$50, Mr.. Rahab what's your-name, you
are punctual to your appointment" said
Colonel Powell, as the soothSayer broke of
his sentence and made profound ODE sance
10 him. H'
"The stars always meet at appointed times;
they are my mentors"
"YOu are star youIself, perhaps. But,
what Of the ring!" -.'.r.
"The night was cloudy and the stars were
! hid from my vision" said the conurer uith
stately emphasis, "when the veil is removed
the secret shall be revealed" .a.
"Bah" exclaimed the Colonel, "But tell
me, old man, where you picked up the incl
dents of my past life"
Rahab ben-abel pointed upward, but vouch.
safed no other reply. .ai'.... H..
"No doubt Of it," said the Colonel, with a
light laugh.
Some further conversation took place, after
! which the astrologer took his leave "a nd heed
less of the shoutings Of a group of little vaga-
bonds, whose minds contained but little rev,
erence for the occult sciences, he wended his
way 10 Hanover street, in which was located
the sanctum of his incantstions. Here he
found a crowd OF men and women who had
congregated 10 ascertain the ups and downs
which the future had in store for them. But
the asrologer, with dignihed reserve, informed
them that the stars were unfayorable, and
dismissed them without displaying any Of his
wonderful wisdom. Seating himself in an
$ easy chair, he relaxed the frown, and turned
his atteution to the consideration of sublunary
things, " 4is. t. .ajil b.. :