Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-11-17

Harper. was murdered: you created
that belief,-but to use me all your life,
you took successful care that the finger
Of suspicion should not point at me;
lest the law might kill the goose tha'
lay the golden egg" 1..i d. .-6
While the tortured man was saying
al this, far more ineohereutly than we
have written it, the unmoved conspira-
tor had rapidly sketched picture of a
gibheted felon, and as the merchant
concluded, Hiram Mould placed the
significant sketch before him. -
"Such shall be your fate if Rachael
Agmoor refuses to become my wife, .
said he, pointing to the hideohs picturs
with his long lean forefnger.
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 Mould,
sternly. "He loves your daughteT-
she perhaps loves him. You follishly
allowed him to visit at your house. It
shall be my care that Thornton Clair
shall not find another employer in the
city" III. .I
II am in your power,' groaned the
unhappy man, rising and opening the
door; but as he did so, his daughter
Rachael stepped quickly from the side
Of Thornton Clair, with whom she was
eagerly conversing, and said
''I wish to see Hiram Mould imme-
diately, dear father" and gliding by
her astonished parent, she entered the
private office.
The merchant closed the door, and
turned to address his child.
Tall and queenly in person, lovely
brunette of eighteen summers, with
large black eyes unusually full of soft
ness, as became her amiable, affection
ate nature, but then flashing scornful
fire, as her lip curled with scathing con-
tempt, and she motioned to her father
to pause for moment, and bent her
gaze upon Hiram Mould.
He seemed i'll at ease as those supurb
eyes scanned him from head to foot,
bathing him, us it were, in boldless
scorn. 49,. - q .s q
He rose to his feet, and recovering
his natural GOODNESS, said:
II am happy to see that Miss Ra-
chael Agmoor considers 80 humble
person as Hiram Mould worthy of so
continued gaze"
''This is the thing that dares to hope
to call me-Wife 7" said Rachael, and
though the words were cutting, the
tone and manner penetrated to the mar
row Of the rascal's bones, and flashed
bitter words TO his pale lips.
t'The thing, is honored in being so
called, my naughty damsel. You are
proud now, Rachael Agmoor, but the
time will come when you shall be as
humble before me as the trembling
man near YOU"
'If ! reject and defy you, you will
attack the life and reputation OF my
father" said Rachael. s'You must be
very confident Of your power, to send
such a message to the woman whom
you wish to make your wife,
II am conscious Of my strength
Do you wish to see proof Of It :''-
sneered Hiram. -.....e
Rachael bent her head contemptu-
ously. Hiram was at loss to compre-
hend this unexpected defiance, but
sure of his ground, he said:
''There is young man in your faith
er's employ whom he loves as his own
son. Rather than harm a hair in that
young mans head, James Agmoor
would .lop off his right arm, ! verify be-
lieve, if the sacrifice could avail either.
Mr.. Agmoor, call in Thornton Clair.''
He looked to see Rachael pale and
trembling; but she was calm and col
lected.
The timid father-timid before the
cashier alone-obeyed, and Thornton
Clair stood with the party; but his blue
eyes were blazing with a menace SO
profound and deadly, that Rachael laid
her hand upon the strong arm that was
swelling as if for sudden blow that
was to be dealt at the serpent like eyes
of the sneering cashier, and whispered:
'Wa ait-for my sake!' -
''Mr. Agmoor," said Hiram, but re-
coiling somewhat from the reach Of
that arm, "as this young man has dared
to make love to one so immensely above
him as your daughter, and as I propose
myself as her husband, his presence in
oar establishment is an insult. Dis
charge him at once.'
:. The wretehed merchant paused in
torturing suspense, and the cashier
poihted at the sketch that lay upon the
table. 49,. : - .....
''Mr. Thornton Clair" began the
father @
"My true name is not Clair" said
the young man quickly, unwilling TO
SEQ the father Of bis Rachael so huDlili-
- 1..