Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-10-07

3 squire, as If memorable fate had laid its yer
} hand upon his shoulder.
"Show him in" said to the servant, Il
his master seemed to have los; q II power {
speech. For my part. drew a hopefu
, augury from that delicate bell-ringing;
rufhan that had nothing to fear would hav
pulled With both his hands.
} Hestbcote slouched 10 with an insoler
, air. half sneak, half bully.
81 don't want the pa;son to hear what
have got to say to you." v ere his FIRST word.
/ Mr. Markham, who kept his back turne
towards him, waved his hand to me in sig
that should speak for him.
I You may say whatever yos WILL" said
quietly. 81 am aware of the object of YOU
coming; you want 20 extort the money fror
this gentleman. which you tried to persuad
anotherto steal from his own desk"
"Oh, she told, did she?" said the william
with diabolical smile. at will be tn
worse for her, presently. that's ALL"
"No, sir. sh, did not, if you mean you
wife. Mrs. Heathcote. Ay, sir" added /, a
he started back, "we are aware of all ths
and very much more. You were overheard
in the garden. There is more than one
thing known, witnessed, Henry Heathcote
of your old doings. which you ure not aware
Of"
Isaw him turn as pale as the poor squire
himself. whether or no." said he after d
little, 81 shall have the money or shall
have my wife-who has committed bieamy
whichever that gentleman there pleases. y
"That gentleman" said I. as observed
Mr.. Markham was about to speak, sis not
to be intimidated, month after month, as
Mrs. Heathcote was, into supplying your
bottomless purse. Nay, sir, your oath is
not to be trusted. l hold in nv hand u
warrant for your apprehension, procured
yesterday from Hampshire by Dir. Raby,
upon charge OF forgery, the proof of which
| have now with me. The consequences
are upon your own head, remember, and
when you leave this house, it will be for a
jail"
81 was quite prepared for this, SIR" said
the rufian, with a look of indescrit able
malice. "Mrs. Markham that was, will,
however, accompany me to prison. Fine
food for the scandal of the coutry that will
be; and good convict's wife she will make
to me in my Punishment without doubt"
Mr.. Markham writhed like one in torture
upon his chair. We were indeed in the mans
power, as be said, and my journey into
Hampshire had been but of small service
One desperate course, however, which had
been suggested by Mr.. Raby, was left to
me, and tried it. miserable mau," said
stern!y. "do you then dare to force US to
extremities! You scoff at punishment, but
what say you to the gallows, you'-I strobe
up to the trembling wretch, and laying nv
hand upon his shoulder, whispered aloud
''you murderer!"
The sweat stood out upon his pallid brow,
his knees smote together, and his hair
seemed absolutely to bristle up, SO abject
was his terror. "Mercy! mercy. / never
found the notes." he murmured.
"No," said "but here is the packetn-I
and produced i,-"and red with the blood
that still cries out agains: you." At the
slgnt OF tnls frightful evidence, the coward
knelt upon the floor and covered his face
with his hands.
"Riss, wretch-go!" thundered the squire,
who had risen up like man returned to life
from the grave. "Here is money-the sum
hat you demaaded-take it. If ever again
:hese eyes of mine ligh. on you, as sure as
here is sun in the heaven, hang you."
The cast-down, halfparalyzsd figure of
Mr.. Markham seemed to dilats as he said
hese words; he looked like some incarnate
Semises deneuncing certain vengeance upon
he creature at his feet. 1t gathered itself
Up like stricken hound seized the proffered
,otes without daring to lsok up into the
lonor's face, and rushing out of the door
md from the house, as though the execa.
ioner was even then upon his heels, sped
way under the flaming eye of noon from
for ever.