Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-05-20

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of suddenly formed purpose.
"Let it be tonight, then, if possible >
replied his wife. "The quicker the truth
is known, the better"
81 need not say, be very circumspect
Edward" were the wife's parting words,
as her husband left her that evening; fol
she saw an unusual sternness in his face
as if some desperate resolution were form.
ing.
"Thank you for the caution! need it,
was his answer. His voice had in it low
thrill Of excitement.
els Mr.. Floyd at home!" The inquiry
was made by Mr.. Fleetwood at the dool
of handsome house not far distant from
his own dwelling, and within tel minutes
after parting from his wife.
"What name shall say!" asked the
waiter.
"Mr. Fleetwood"
"Mr. Floyd wishes you to excuse him to-
n'ght," said the waiter returning to the
paraor, into which he had shown Mr.. Fleet
wood.
"Say to Mr.. Floyd that cannot excuse
him. He must see me tonight, and nop."
The waiter hesitated.
ais he alone!" inquired Mr.. Fleetwood.
"Yes, SIR"
ENTIRELY alone!"
ayes, sir.''
Sand his room is"
SIN the second story"
"Front?"
"No, sir--bsck."
81 will find him." And Mr.. Fleetwood
passed the surprised waiter, ard went with
rapid, yet almost noiseless step, along the
passage and up the stairs. Only moment
he stood at the door of the room indicated
BY the servant. Then, without knocking.
he opened it silently and went in. As he
closed the door behind him, Mr.. Floyd look
ed up from the table at which he was sit
ting-a table covered with various papers,
letters, notes Of hand, title. deeds, mortgage
bonds, certificates of stock, and other rep
resentatives OF value.
"Sir!" Floyd had started to his feet,
and his eyes were fixed angrily upon the
face of Mr.. Fleetwood. "This is an un.
warranted iutrusion!'
The quiet turning Of key, and its low
rattle as it was withdrawn from the lock
inside, were indications of SO questionable
character, that Mr.. Floyd's warm color
left his cheeks almost as suddenly as it had
dyed them. His visitor noted this.
desperate diseases require desperate
remedies, John Floyd. Fleetwood had
turned from the door, and was now advanc-
ing across the room, with his eyes fixed
upon the face of his false friend, who read
in them purpose that made his coward
heart sink.
at is never safe to swindle beyond a
certain line, John Floyd" continued Fleet
wood, in a low, but stern voice. "You
should have been content with robbing me
of my little patr:mony; but, wien you left
no alternative but dishonor, or a remedy
like this, you went step too far. So
have Come, now, for restitution, or retribu-
tion.''
ain the fiend's name, what do you want,"
demanded Floyd, with a slight show of
courage.
"The first thing want is a return of the
notes placed in your hands, to be used
only as collateral"
81 have already told you that they are
beyond my reach," was answered.
ut is false!" cried Fleetwood, in sudden
excitement, darting forward as he spoke,
and graphing eagerly at small pile of
papers that lay on the table. The well
known vignette of the Insurance Company
had caught his eyes-ihe fatal notes were
before him. To seize them was the work
of moment; in the next instant they were
torn in pieces!
"I have already told you to your teeth.
John Floyd, that you were villain," said
Fleetwood, his strong Indignation repress-
ing all exterior signe OF agitation. 4 met Mt
it in its general accep:ation; for I did not
then dream that your heart was corrupt
enough for deed like this. To turn away
from friend whom you heve led into dam
ger is bad enough; but to betray him to ru-
in is the act of iend. But, thank Heaven!
| am now safe, beyond your power to Dc
me harm."
Recovering a little from his bewilder.
ment, Floyd now advanced towards Fleet.
wood in a threate ming manner; but the lat
ter stood immovable. regarding him with a
look of sue b indignant scorn that his eye
| quaile |, and he stood still.
"My business here has ended" said
Fleetwood, moving backwards towards the
door, yet keeping his eyes still upon Floyt
--"has ended more easily than was antici
pated; aud W ithout the consequences had
feared. leave you to the enjoyment o
your ill-gotten gains, if that be possible
and 60 forth to try the world again, bu
with clear conscience and an untarnlsh
ed name."
The key was in the door-the bolt sprun,
land Fleetwood vanished like spectr
from the presence Of the confounded maj
who had betrayed his confidence, and wei
nigh compassed the ruin OF his reputation
The unusual expression which Mr.,
Fleetwood noticed on the face of her hus
band, at parting, troubled her. He had seeI
ed to arouse up, suddenly, as if some ne,