Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-06-06
to justice He had, however, another motive

The editor hailed a passing omnibus, gave
a few parting instructions to Parker, and was
soon set down in the neighborhood of the Al
dernans house. Ringing the bell he asked
for the plotting official, and was ushered into
a capacious parlor; here he had not long to
wait before he was waited upon by the Alder
man himself Notwithstanding the deep,
stinging sensations of remorse that was tear
ing his soul, he attempted to appear very
afable to the editor of the "Daily Stylus"
I" Mr.. Bolton, presume your recollection
dates as far back as the hour of our search
for that young girl, for whose welfare you
seam to display so much interest"
81 don't think that am SO fuddled as to
forget the events Of 1assnight: y
:" Ahl well when we met this morning
forgot to ask what wish to ask now, if you
do not deem it impertinent?"
am ready to hear" was the gracious as
surance.
is there particular interest that prompt
ed you to the discovery of Alice Rowand, or
is It desire to act a benevolent part in life p
Both motives are mine'
Then what if should tell you that the
girl is found ?"
is she in your hands ?' quickly asked
the Alderman.
y, l.
pose" said the editor; the plotting Alderman
detected slight tincture of irony and sar-
casm in the voice. 81 suppose she will be
well cared for"
Yes, [ suppose so; and now pray let me
ask you the same question you propounded
to me-"
"First, it was merely to promote the girls
welfare and happiness. Now, it is personal
motive that excites me. Listen, and I'll tell
you story"
Proceed if it relates to her; am anxious
to hear"
"Some years ago there lived across the
ocean lord of great influence and riches.
Near him lived also relative of not very
near tie. This relative looked upon the lords
riches with an evil eye, and plotted and coun-
terplotted to secure them, but to no purpose.
At last he succeeded in driving away one of
the heiresses, and putting another one out of
the way by means of premature death. The
curate of the parish was benevolent man,
and was firm friend of the family thus bro
! ken asunder and separated To restore one
/ of that very family to his arms and to her
rights, has often been one of my earthly OBJ
jects, if | could ever discover it"
! "And where is your application ?' asked
! the Alderman, unmoved. @ ......s .-
There is man in this city who has loved
that little child we seek. Fortune once threw
her in his way, and once he sheltered her from
the last of her fathers oppression and wrong.
She strayed from that protector, and her dizzy
head led her careless feet far out of the reach
of her new home"
"Still you seem to be enigmatical"
a." THERE'S another man in this vast city,
etsT1:@s saaaitie @na alding
ftm justice one of her honored crowns. He
seeks this very same girl to kill or ruin her.
The man first mentioned seeks to restore
her to affluence and wealth; the other to de-
stroy her so as he may enjoy that wealth
himself These two men profess to be friends
but the one hates and despises the other"
"Still, [ cannot see your connection. Elk
plain yourself Mr.. Garland" impatiently
spoke Aubrey Bolton; his brows knitted as
he plainly recognized the illusions made
"Then, Aubrey Bolton, l will make i
plain. Nay, shrink notr' said the editor
arising "Look me in the face, and wher
you have heard it, cut your throat for hang
dog vilian Let me tell you, Aubrey Bel
ton, that the spirit Of Marian E6fiinghams aoil
shortly be apenged P'
"Scoundrel what do you mean ?" said tn
selfaccused man, starting from his seat.
"Yes, the murder on the Gladstone Heat
will yet be investigated before the bar of jus
tice. Aubrey Bolton, yon stand accused
False-hearted william that you are, you seek t
destroy Alice Rowand. God knows wher
she is now /; but when the last drop of ths
girls blood shall drop from her heart, you
Heaven shall be black, and from that yer
hour shall your retribution be at hand"
"With what heinous crime do you charg
me p huskily demanded the Alderman.
Al. Dill Il Ia
will be the remaining moments of your lif
Down while you have yet time, down on yor
knees to that God who judges all men, ar
ask for pardon; then hasten to Alice Roy
and and repair the wrongs you have don
and give me the papers you have which pla
all the property of the Earl of Laroch in h
hands,"
william, you are mad! I have no SUI
papers, nor do know the place of Alice Ro'
and's confinement"
"Liar-black- hearted liar-no, you ha
no heart, it has gone, never to return. Yes
he added very calmly, "the foul fends ste
. it on the night that Marianne Efhngham W
. murdered"
: "Mention not that name again. So, g
: [ would see you no longer"
| "Give me those papers"
SO, go; have them not" and the 1
/ derman rushed to his secret chamber.
: By the demons, how gained he this
e cret-this more than awful secret? am S.
no longer" said Bolton when his door "
f locked, and he had thrown himself into tt
! covered chair in which we have seen him
often before. This is almost the end of /
Z life. How this editor procured these aw
truths, l know not. But shall this deter
A from my aims and intentions? Careful
: weigh this all, Aubrey Bolton. Where is
proof of these fearful facts What proof {
> be produced? All, yes, am still safe for
4 present, at any event But shall ment
h this to O'Flannagan? No. no, it would
useless, and perhaps if told him of DAM
# he would endeavor to throw up the VIII
aff..ir. No, Alice Rowand must die this mig
Il will soon be over, Let the william 60
and sharpen his knife for the bloody murc
!. care not for John Garland am still s.
and viii yet have the gold covet J
,s this is one other barrier to my benevole
n and good will to man. Henceforth ma he
- is 1oOrse than steel"
q John Garland was shown the door b.
servant, and hurried back to his Office.
f.. had accomplished his end; it was to d
from Aubrey Bolton the accusation wi
comes from the guilty mans lips, and Fl
his actions the plotting Alderman plai
showed that he was an accomplice in the bio
deeds which had characterized the life of
Rowand family that he truly was on
those who knew of and plotted the murde