The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-08-06

The hiiis or entirely IN bis own room =
Occasionally The sound u bis voice foat.
Cd down 90 her from-lhc west chamber.
bat IL iones were too faint Tor her 10
catch perfectly. .-...
At last Tue important day arrived, and
three O'Clock fouud some dozen OF fifteen
placid-Iooking ladies seated in social con.
clave in Mrs Jessup's best parlor. This
room, IKE many another OF its class ID
country homes, was kept sacred from
common intrusion, and its shiny, stIQ.
backed mahogany chairs were ouly oc.
cupied on particular occasions like the
/ present The apartment had not been
opened since the night of Mr. Lawrence's :
arrival until the forenoon Of the day when
the tea-party was to assembe; and Il
now sbonc forth in ali its glory OF spot.
less furniture aud orderly preeiseness.
How do you like your boarder9 asked
AIrs. Spencer, the minister's wife, sfter
the nsual amount Of gossip bad been dis
eusscd.
Wen, he is o very pleasant person to
have in the house, Mrs. Spencer, a very
I pleasant person indeed; makes not
mite Of trouble, and minds his own af-
fairs, too.
Is he at home to-day? asked Miss wip-
pins, the village teacher.
No, dear, he's been out nearly all the
forenoon, but he may be back by this
time, however. Perhaps he's IN bis room
now, though we should hear him study
in, most likely, If he was there.
Hear him! Then be studies aloud?
calculated The teacher.
Wen, yes, he does seem to take to that
way best but, law, don't hear nothing
of it, for l'm off in the other end of the
house, you see.
Is he pious young man? Suddenly
inquired Mrs. Brand, a lady with a very
determined-looking mouth.
I'm sure don't know that, replied
Mrs. Jessup, thoughtfully. Really, i
don't; but he's very quiet, very quiet,
indeed, land very particular, too, in his
habits.
Are you sure, resumed Mrs. Brand,
deliberately, are you sure that he is not
at all dangerous? dropping her work
and gazing very steadily at Mrs. Jes-
sup.
Dangerous? Why no! He's the quiet
est body that ever was.
Yes, but for all that, he might be dan
gerous you know, returned Mrs. Brand.
Why, II wasn't more than day or two
two ago that my Eben heard him talking
away up in Grang,r's woods something
about double-barreled pistols and mur-
dering seven men, and sword and dag
ger--herc there was chorus of frighten.
cd O's from all her auditors.
Eben didn't dare go up near to him,
but he said he supposed there was two or
three OF 'em there, and he came straight
home and told me about it.
He's dreadful Withholding Kind of
man, think, interpoated Mrs. Benson. |
have seen him go by our house On his
way to the woods, suppose; !; and can't
for the life Of me sec what he goes up
there for. He always looks wilder than
ever when he comes back.
Yes them eyes of his is frightfal re-
marked old Mrs. Simms. They are
kinder evil-looking eyes in my opin-
ion.
A murmured chorus Of, Yes, they are !!
always thought SO! ETC., from the la
dies.
Well, don't know, said Mrs. Jessup,
with little sigh, he's very good young
man | thnk-never inquired into any
thing. lie don't even know was to
have company to-day, for he neVer says
very much of anything, and so | let him
alone.
o, yes, but you can't tell what be may
be mp to, said Mrs. Brand, mysteriously.
lie may be plotting your destruetion.-
For aught you know, he may be going
to-the ladies' voices had sunk almost
Into u whispers-murder you, perhaps
In the silence hich followed this
fearful suggestion, the sound OF voice
was heard above, ultering in deep, pas.
sionate tones:
Why do we wait longer, Rudolf? Why
not do the deed this uighty This good
broadswored OF mine will do good SER
vice.
The ladies held their breath TO listen.
All, that will i'll
Wen do the murder, and gain the sill
yer for our pains. At what time, think
you, will they be asleep;
ilark ye! make your voice speak low,
that they suspect no harm
Then came muttered words which chill.
ed the blood OF the listeners.
De here at midnight, sword aud dag
ger ready! The deed once done, wen
flee through yonder forest At midnight
then, remember, two lives arc oursl
Thou all was dead silence. Mrs. Jes-
'up's lace was white as ber apron. She
rushed from the room to the back door.
where her husband, coming in at the
met her with a look Of astonish.
ment.
q, John, she gasped, while the entire
party Of ladies surrounded the wonder.
ng Mr.. Jessup, come aud get that dread.
'ui man out OF the house! lie. plan-
ming th murder as tonight, and run of
With all our money! We heard him! /
Come quick Mrs. Brand added high. i
y excited aud exaggerated account Of
.he affair Ia very rapid manner: aud