Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-01-25
CHAPTER vi.
he IntcrVie w.

Notwithstanding the political excitement
that peryaded the town, the murder Of the
goldsmith ereat>.d great sensation. The cir
cumStantial evidence which eliminated his
nephew was deemed conc elusive even by the
young mans mos. intimate friends. or his
present retirement, nothing was known, and
his escape ana subsequent absence were re-
garded as but an admission Of guilt. But as
nothing further was sScertaiRed in relation TO
the young man the excitement among the
townSmen gradually abated, and finally ccas-
ed altogether. Still there was one heart which
yet bled with the wound it had caused
Amelia Powell refused 10 be comforted. Her
affection was too deeply lacerated TO be so
easily or speedily healed. Her father by all
the ingenuity OF tenderness, Strove 10 mitigate
her sorrow; but in spite of all his exertonS,
she rapidly declined in health and spirits.
Mr.. Waldeck was a constant visitor at the
mansion Of Col. Powell. His attentions TO
Amelia were mole marked and perSeverlng.-
Her father had gently intimated his wish that
she should accept the hand Of the indefatiga-
BILE Suitor, and the daughter with a desire 10
please HIM, had tolerated rather than accepted
his addresses. To her the world seemed but
a blank; she had nothing further 10 live Tor,
but &c make these happy around her. Size had
reluctantly resigned the hope Of ever meeting
Robert again. He had deceived her as 10 his
true character, and her heart was broken her
affections were wrecked. Without any def
mite purpose of accepting his hand, Amelia had
endeavored TO regard without loathing, the
man to whom her father wished to unite her.
She was still true 10 the noble, beautiful idea
of truth and goodness which she had embodied
in the character OF her lover. The vessel was
broken, but the ideal still existed in her heart.
About four weeks after the events related in
the preceding chapters Waldeck was seated
in the back parlor. 1t was evening, and a
flickering light threw its faint rays on the hag
gard features Of the goldsmith. He had grown
paler and thinner than when we last saw him.
He was uneasy and nervous, as he attempted
with an unsteady hand 10 turn the leaves of
an account book. Unable 10 fix his mind
upon the business which claimed his attention
he rose and paced the room. But vision of
horror continually haunted him. At length
wearled with the torturing presence oi his own
thoughts, he took the candle and aScended the
stairs. As he turned into the sleeping apart
ment rustling noise disturbed him.
"Who'S there 7" exclaimed he in a sudden
and nervous tone. ...
But no answer was returned. He searched
the passage way without making any discovery.
Ascending it 10 the dSordered state of his
nerves, be entered his room and threw him
self upon tie bed. For an hour or more he
tossed about, but sleep came not to him, until
wearled beyond the endurance of nature, he
sunk into an uneasy slumber. Even then the
terrible vicipIt honuta1 WIZ,
sounds on his lips, he occasionally started, as
from fear and groaned deeply.
The candle still burned on the table, the
sicky flame curling round the long wick, so
that the room was bu dimly lighted.
Noselessly the door opened, and man
closely enveloped in ia black cloak, entered
the chamber. Cautiously he advanced to the
bedside, aud bent overthe Slumberer. .
at is true, old man, my blow was sure. "
muttered the sleeper in disjointet phrases and
then turning on the bed he groaned heavily
For time he lay in silence, as though his
dream was ended. ... ....
The stranger listened awhile, and then
snuffed the candle which was flckGring as il
going ont Again he approached the bedside,
and again the slumberer turned into an uneasy
posture. u u.HU ,..
"Away, old man, awayl What if l did
kill thee % groaned he. ''of, of, unhand
me-" and Waldeck started with convulSiYe
energy from the bed and awoke. aas
He saw the form Of man, and it seemed
the waking continuation Of the dream. I
"Of of man." screamed he, springing
from he bed upon the form before him.
"Waldeck," said the stranger, as he flung
his assai ant from 4iWaldeek, are you