Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-03


ficient, sir, that conscience assumed its sway
even as was about to complete the deed"
" And the second obstacle?"
" After having, as thought, destroyed all
the whisperings of the inward monitor, i entered
the cottage. | glanced around the room. but
the object of my search was not there Casting
my eye through IA halfopen door, saw lying
upon her couch the woman was about to de-
prive of life. prayed she might be asleep, for
l was conscious that my arm would fail me ia
strike the blow, did she but look upon me. ]
entered the room, and my heart beat less quick
ly, when saw she was in deep slumber. And
yet hesitated. That pale, wan face, beauti-
ful even -"
" Come, come, Ward" said Palmer nervous
ly. "Come to the point at once. This is idle
talk"
" 1t moves you, does Is, sir? Perhaps your
conscience is lashing you like scorpan stings,
as you contemplate the deed"
$50 on. would hear the end of the mat
ter, and that speedily"
&c SO you shall, las soon as can tell it you but
| shall take my time for the narration. | said
that gazed on that face, and my heart melted
within me as thought how little she dreamed
that ere another hour should pass, she was to
die. never saw features like those but once,
and tried to recall the spot where had beheld
them, but it proveda useless task. Ere had
time to strike the blow, she awoke''
Fool, fool, why did you not do your work
at once, instead of permitting a woman's face
to lure you from duty?"
duty, sir? My duty to kill such as she ?
No, no, Joel Palmer, not my duty. If she was
beautiful while sumher sealed her eyelids,
what shall say of her when those orbs met
mine In startled surprise? Could it be that
the woman before me was one who had yielded
to your arts and fell? No! the soul beaming
in those eyes was too pure, too holy for that. "
I" 1t matters not whether you believe it or not.
'She is gone where you will never learn the
truth or ialsity of my statements.
"Then that woman spoke, sir Her voice
was low and tremulous, as if my presence had
nearly deprived her of speech, yet it was full
of melody to my ear. Was it possible that
was to deprive her Of the life God had bestowed
/ almost turned to leave the cot. but then other
thoughts came over me, and told her | had
come to kill her. gave her time to pray. and
what, think you, was the burden of that pray
er, Joel Palmer -
seems, Ward. that you are unusually cccontric
this afternoon
6 You asked me to inform you concerning
this affair, and have but complied with your
request. She did not pray for hcrseli-thcre
was no need of that for the very look which
dwelt upon her countonance betokened spirit
proach in her tones, but closing her eyes. she
prayed God to forgive me Heavens how my
heart burned them as heard that woman pray
for one who was about to take her life. You
are listening, are you, sir -
Joel Palmer ,Uas listening drinking in every
word, and as Ward addressed him, his face was
deadly pale.
"Ward, will hear no more of this. Come
to the end of your tale at once, or you shall
suffer for this.'
g Do not threaten, sir" said Ward, strange
smile dwelling upon his face. 81 am not wont
to be intimidated by threats. l see my words
are like daggers to your heart-I meant they
raised my hand for the blow. But did not
strike, sir"
80 Did not strike?'" shouted Palmer, spring
ing from his seat and approaching the Maniac.
I" Ward. do you mean to tell me that woman
lives?''
AYE, she lives, and -
Your life shall pay the forfeit and with
the quckness of thought, Palmer drew q
weapon from his bosom and presented it to the
head of the Maniac.
But Joel Palmer had not thought with whom
he had to deal, and as he was about to fire
Ward seized the pistol with one hand, while
with the other he dealt blow which sent hi'
adversary reeling to the seat he had just left
81 Not yet, villain, not yet. My time ha
not yet come, and when it does, tits not to di,
by your hand
Palmer ground his teeth in rage, whil'
his eyes cleaned with ferocity fearful to be
hold. The scheme he had looked upon MS al
ready accomplished, had failed, and he was il
the power of the man before him.
"Ward,' 4" he muttered at length, his voic'
horase with passion, "why is it that you hav'
violated the promise made when you last saw
me? Why do you come here to-day, and tel
me the woman lives whom you have sworn t,
kill?"
Why, do you ask sir? To save my owl
life, would not harm that woman
"You would not? ~
No"
" The alternative may bo given you, sir
:. True, it may be. There is no power OF
earth which can move me to injure her. Ant
listen, Joel Palmer: dare but to send your min
, ions to the cot for the purpose for which
went there and fate worsa than a thousin,
deaths shall be yours.
i" You are pleased to brave my power, nut
tered Palmer contemptuously. I" Poor, drivel
; ing fool, how long, think you, Wilt be ere you
life is in my hands?
\ g Never " replied Ward firmly. You
, life is in my power, and am tempted to depriy
you Of it,
, And lose your own. Think you, that yo
could escape, should you do this?h
AYE; but Twill not kill you. Live on, an
. let guilty conscience do it's work in maxim