The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-11-08

Z
deadly hate You, Hiram Mould, first
made US, who were till then bosom friends,
bitter enemies. He struck me, | return
ed the blow he drew his knife and stab
bad me, but before I fell senseless l wrest-
ed the weapon from him aud dealt him a
fatal thrust that prostrated him also We
| fell togethcr-alike unconscious-I in
swoon, he dead, When sense and feeling
returned to me was in your house. You,
Hiram Mould, hid the body where you
can find its remains to convict me. The
public believe that Charles Harper was
murdered you created that belief but to
use me all my life, you took successful
care that the finger of suspicion should
not point at me, lest the law might kill
the goose that lays the golden eggs"
While the tortured man was saying all
this, far more incoherently than we have
written it, the uumoved conspirator had
rapidly sketched picture OF gibbeted
felon, and as the,merchant concluded, Hi
ram Mould placed the significant sketch
before him.
Such shall be your fate, if Rachel
Agmoor refuses to become my wife, " said
he, pointing to the hideous picture with
his long, lean, fore-fnger.
Again the merchant yielded before the
terrible threat, and his head sank upon
his bosom.
"Now call in Thornton Clair and dis
miss him at once" said Hiram sternly.
i" He loves your daughter-she perhaps
loves him. You have foolishly allowed
him to visit your house. 1t shall be M
care that he shall not find other employ
ment in this city"
{" [ am in your power" groaned the un-
happy man, rising and opening the door;
but IS he did so his daughter Rachel step
ped quickly from the side Of Thornton
Clair, with whom he was eagerly convers-
ing, and sad:
Il wish to see Hiram Mould immedi-
ateiy, dear father" and guided by her as
tonished parent, she entered the private
office.
The merchant closed the door and
turned to address his child.
Tall and queenly in person, a lovely
brunette of eighteen summers, will large
black eyes, usually fall of softness. as be-
came her amiable and afectionate nature,
but then flushing scoruful fires as her red
lips curIed with scathing contempt, Ra-
chel Agmoor motioned her father to pause
a moment and bent her gaze on Hiram
Mould.
He seemed i'll at case as those suberb
eyes slowly scanned him from head to
foot, bathing him as it were in worldIess
scorn. He rose to his feet, and recover
ing his natural cooIness, said:
[ am happy to see that Miss Rachel
Agmoor considers SO humble person as
Hiram Mould worthy Of so continued a
gaze.
This is the thing that dares to hope
to call me wife !" said Rachel; and tho
the words were cutting, the tone and
manner penetrated to the marrow Of the
rascars bones, and flashed bitter words to
his white lips.
"The thing is honored in being so
called, my naughty damsel You are.
proud, now, Rachael Agmoor, but the
time shall come when you shall be as
humbled before me as the trembling man
beside you"
"If reject and defy you, you will
attack the life and reputation of my
father" said Rachel" You must be
very confident of your power, to send
message to the woman you wish to.
make your wife"
Z" l AN conscious of my strength. Do
you wish to see a proof of it ?" sneered
Hiram.
Rachel bent her head contempuousl y.
Hiram Mould was at a loss to compre,
hend this unexpected defiance but sure
Of his ground he said:
"There is a young man in your faith
ers employ whom he loves as his own
son. Rather than harm a hair of that
young mans head, James Agmoor would
gladly lop off his right hand, | verify be-
lieve, if tie sacrifice could avail either.
Mr. Agmoor call in Thorton Clair"
He looked to see Rachel pale and
trembling. But she was calm and col
lected
The timid father-timid before the
cashier alone-obeyed, and Thornton
Clair stood in the party; but his blue
eyes were blazing with a menace so pro-
found and deadly that Rachel laid her
soft hand upon the strong arm that was
swelling as if for sudden blow to be
dealt at the serpent like eyes Of the sneer-
ing cashier, and whispered.
"Wait for my sake"
"Mr. Agmoor," SAID Hiram, but re-
coiling somewhat from the reach Of that
arm, has tins young man dared to make
love to one so immensely above him as