Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-01-13

cannon teH you tue reason oI tlis Nasty
entrance to your dwelling. i was sent upon an
errand Of great moment, bus perhaps ] have
mistaken the house, 80 will bid you good
day
He turned to go, and then quickly retracing
his steps, he approached the bedside. There
was no color in his face. md trenor was visi-
bic in voice, as be Sid
:" may be right have not asked your
name"
" My name is Archer, sir
" That is the name, surely, and yet you can
not be the person they meant"
To whom do you refer, sir?
" The persons who sent the message
What was the nature of the message "
Ward attempted to speak, but he could not.
Woman," he at last exclaimed in husky
tone, "my business here is strange ono-I
have come to kill you >
:" To kill me ! " uttered Mrs. Archer, chill
running through her frame Is she realized that
she was in the mans power 'Sir, | never
harmed you. These are idle words, and | can
not divine your object in giving them utter
ance.
F." Would to heaven they were idle words,
but they are not. Do you see the halo yonder,
which gds those trees with the hues of the
rain ow? ?" said Ward, pointing to the setting
sun.
81 do, SIR" said Mrs. Archer in scarcely
audible tone.
/" And yet if you were to die tonight, you
would live, ere the rising Of another sun,
where neither the sun nor the moon giveth
light, and each scene surpasses the one you now
view@'
'' If you have a message ior me. deliver 1t
and depart, for like not the manner in which
you have ntruded yourself here"
f 90 am not .jesting Pray, if you wish, for
as sure as itis the sun which gilds those trees
you will not live to see ii rise"
"What motive prompts you to thus take the
life of a helpless woman Come, sir cease this
attempt to terrify me. and leave me alone.
Ward drew the knife from his bosom, and
raised his hand for the blow
" Come, pray, if you wish to, quick
" Have you no pity, sir?" pleaded Mrs.
i Archer, the tears bedewing her checks ''f'h,
leave me, sir, spare me.
"No muttered Ward /" Do you wish
, to pray?'
" May God forgive you. That is all, sir
strike "
The knife was lowered, as she said this, but
with quick movement he seized her throat and
n raised her head to strike. But ere it could
t descend, it dropped from his nerveless grasp,
/, and with wild look cleaning in his eyes, he
exclaimed:
"Woman, who are you?"
e "Will you kill me?" asked Mrs. Archer,
as she looked with wonder upon the altered
countenance of the Maniac.
s Kill you?" said Ward in a whisper,
t bending lower, his eyes fastened on the face be-
fore him. Kill you :? " he repeated ''Sooner
= would plunge this weapon into my own heart
s than harm a single hair of your head. -
- "And yet, but just now you would have
a taken my life
t "Oh, my God, forgive me the thought !
: Woman, tell me that you forgive me-
j., 81 do, sir and now why did you attempt
: my life?
d 6 First, tell me your NAME
9 81 have already told you, sir"
+. "You would not deceive me in this?'
" Deceive you?-no."
A. =" Archer" murmured Ward, bowling hi
e. head as if trying to call some forgotten crcum
stance to mind. 6 never heard that nam
,e before. You have not always lived here" "
be "No, sir, | have not
W. And you once lived in London? -
bo No, sir, never resided there
an Again Ward seemed engaged in deep thought
II, DO you know person by the name c
= Joel Palmer ?"
ba No. sir, the name is not familiar to me-.
,is Are you sure you forgive me?"
nd Assuredly do, sir; and yet would lk
,la to know the motives which prompted you t
in take my life, and then 50 suddenly spare it, "
m g. cannot tell you now 1t is sufficient f
lis you to know that was instigated by ma
ot who has basely lied to me.'
ul 81 knew not that had an enemy here"
you have, at least, gained friend. Yo
n ! have an enemy-one who seeks your life--bt
ge do not fear him. As long as there is strengt
'es in this right arm, he shall never harm you.-
IRE You asked my name--you have heard of War
IL the Maniac 2"
IN, Yes, replied Mrs. Archer.
on " He stands before you. Go through til
Province and they will tell you never harm,
ie. IA soul 1t was no will of mlno that broug
ric me here
''i- IN Then why did you yield to another
81 wishes ?"
81 cannot tell you, nor can | tell you vi
me my purpose was so suddenly changed The
an has been CLEAN of light revealed to me
to day upon subject that has been obscure
years. Your features possess strange inter-
he for me- and if it is not asking too much
yed would know the history of your life.
re, A deep shadow rested upon Mrs Archie
ned brow, and then her face grew suddenly pale,
his he started up. and gazed eagerly upon the f
lures of the Maniac
to +" cannot gratify you, sir. Pardon me, t
INK | have sufficient reasons for refusing Iyour
quest