Year: 1859


'sZounds and deathi' exclaimed George,
"does this girl know me by reputation If
she does am completely designs
frustrated, and, beside, have all my trouble
| for nothing |"
"She certainly knows you; she spoke of
| you as being one of the widest rakes in VIII
mington, and she went farther; she even said
she did not wish your acquaintance"
l"i" Worse and more of 1t, you VIII induce
me, you old imp ofdestruction to do something
desperate, if you continue in this strain to
excite my anger" said George in an excited
tone. .4sr .a. t.r =
1t was no wonder that the young rake be-
came excited at the intelligence the old wo-
man brought him for it was very evident,
II Ida knew his real character, that she would
not even speak to him. He had endeavored
to keep his name a secret, but the old woman
thought it would be an additional inducement
for the young lady to know who her enamo-
rata was to meet him at night in that lonely
places His name alone was sufhoient TO con-
vince Ida--if she had any disposition TO be
duped by the old woman-that he would be an
improper acquaintance for her to make.
George knew not what TO do he was not
willing to give up the game he had pursued
so long, NOR was he willing that his acquaint-
ances should have the rig ON him; for several
of them knew that he was engaged in this in
trigue. He placed his hand on his brow, as
II to catch some stray idea that might place
him in situation to accomplish his object.
AT length he inquired of the old woman If he
could not adopt a plan to remove Samuel
| Irving from the good graces OF this young
s seli. : ~s@sH u -


The old woman replied that she thought
she could place him in a situation, where he
might get possession of Ida although 1t was
not one of the peasantest things Imaginable,
it could be done.


At the thought of having her placed in his
power a smile lighted .ssup his countenance,
and he told the old demon-for such she
proved-to do anything, no matter how re-
voting, to accomplish that object. Then
with the chuellle OF ilend, incarnate, she
told George to follow her.


| Although this execrable woman had the ap-
pearance Of being old and decrepit, she was,
active and energetic; and when the occasion
| required il, she could undergo almost any
kind of bodily exertion. On the night of
which we speak, she had become q little ex
cited at the failure of one of her most proiita-
BILE schemes, and now she appeared detefmin-
el to make amends for her former dscomft-
ure by adding TO- her speed and determine
| ton. II was almost an impossibility for George
to keep up with her, 50 hurried washer gait.
She crossed the bridge, and proceeded up King
street towards the old Baptist Church.
| Now, let us leave our hero in the guidance
| of that old woman, andta view of scene
that is passing in another part of the town.
The reader need not think II anything
strange if he should find himself in the
mysterious house on Fourth street, where he
| has already spent an hour before. For snch
is the case. The outside of the house bore
about the same appearance that it did on the
former occasion every thing was quiet about
| IT, and sullen silence regned in the whole
vicinity. What very different scene did the
inside present Around the same pine tabiel
might he seen number Of the toughest look
ing Williams that any one might desire to behold.
In the corner of tile room sat man OF detected
look with his head resting ON one hand, evil
IDENTIFY in deep meditation. He Is restless and
moves about in his seat, and then rises up
and PAGES the floor There is evidently some
thing on his mind, which creates all this un
easiness. His step is tottering there is no
steadness in his walk, and from the whole
appearance of the man he is laboring under
some kind of bodily infrmity. phe old lady
who has been introduced to the reader as
Mrs. Bacheor-the mistress Of this establish
ment-was busily engaged in furnishing the
gamblers with liquor. NO..


| Z Many curse did they give her at any
seeming neglect oil her part to perform the
duties ofhostess and many hint was thrown
ont that If she did not attend to hor business,
she would receive but small share in their
next division Of spoils. Still the old woman
moved about with apparent indifference to AZ
that was said and done. t


The obscure gentleman very much agitated,
stopped as she was passing him, and inquired,
in a low tone, TAT what time dds leave"
/ ''Just before dark, y answered the old wo-
,oars..l "a "a ifta sa4 s4f Z


"Did she take any thing with herW
"Yes, bag and baggage"


Have you any idea of her whereabouts ~


"Certainly, Isent man to watch her, and
| the young gentleman, who found her in the
Church yard, when you made a fool of your
self.'


"What did she go with the man who res
cued her from my clutches in the morning"


"She did," calmly replied the old woman,
and have marked their abode, and intend
turning. the circumstance to account" .8
=" How do you mean Y'' inquired Roger
Wilson-for such it was.


az mean that If you wish to handle her
chinls by my agency, you can do it by con-
forming to my wishes, and allowing me lib
eral discount" =F rn -I


Roger appeared more thoughtful than ever.
The words Of the old woman rang in his ears,
together with the thought of the horrible
crime he had attempted, admonished him se-
verely for his conduct he was driven to des-
peration. But there was no remorse Of con-
science mixed with his mingled hatred and
chagrin. Roger was william by nature, and
| having his brightest prospects thwarted by
the unexpected opposition of one who he ex-
pected would consent to his every wish he
| only desired revenge. But Rosa Willis yir-
ture could not be assailed by the felldestroyer,
or her fortune put In jeopardy by any folly
of her own. Roger was not long in making
up his mind to turn the old woman's advice
to account. He told her that he was ready to
accede to her wishes, and would willingly al
low her a reasonable sum if she would place
Rosa Willis and her fortune at his disposal.
The old woman smiled ndconfirmed the bar
| gain.


AT this stage of the proceedings the magic
password was given at the door. Roger I'M
willing to expose himself any more than he
could help, made his exit up the stairway just
as old Marguerite and George Raymond were
admitted at the street door. Little did George
know, when he started from the Brandywine,
with this old hag, what were her plans, or
where she was about TO conduct him to-. II
he had known the means she was about to
adopt-through the agency of the mistress OF
the gambling establishment of Fourth street.
there is but little doubt but what he would
have discountenanced such aplan.


He was surprised when he saw her stop be-
fore house whose inmates had figured so
largely in his notions Of rasoality in the
morning. But having gone thus far, hewould
if 1t were possible, by any agency of his con-
ductor, get possession Of Ida Strickland.