Year: 1859

Y iNEAtS luf lllt uNEdnlOHs hllph lht NVh Ni u
for I'LL libemires are cowards-would never
dare to face me in daylight for that reason
prefer he should be gratifed in one thing
talking over our affairs in the dark. The
shale5 of night may hide many bushes if he
De not already stepped too deep in the dye of
yillany.n


The arrangements necessary to carry into
execution the plans of Rosa were duly revol-
we'd ii her mind, and Tom was fully commits
soQed TO bring to the appointed place the lib
cltine. II was day of excitement, but night
might bring with it many pleasing sensations.
How earnestly did she watch the tedious
hours roll away upon their apparently slug
gisl wings She dared not mention her de-
termination to Samuel or her fair companion,
but brooding over her sad lot, She was dull
company for her friends.


Time rolled slowly away and night came
the desired opportunity to revenge her inju-
ries was about TO present itself At the ap-
pointed hour she was ut the hemp lot, near
the Arsenal, alone and unprotected. The
night was unusually dark and rather damp.
Objee;s'could be descerned hut Il short dis
tence. Secrcting herself behind some loose
boards that leaned up against the rope walks,
She remained perfectly quiet. 1t is at such a
crisis as this that the real heroine exhibits
itself. While yet the darkness of night draws
All impenetrable barrier around one of the
most feminine of her sex, the spirit of revenge
lightens every nerve and strengthenes every
tendrl in her composition. She feels that the
wrongs she has received, at the hands of her
enemy cannot be remeded this side Of the
grave, and revenge the sweetest Of all NOR
sel4 Is only left to be administered by her.


Woman, though weak in many things, is
always strong in her revenge; and while Ida
waited for the coming of Tom, in her mind re-
volved many summary schemes Of vengeance;
each of which she considered herself capable
of executing. Almost an hour had rolled
away after the appointed time before the well
known voice OF Tom struck upon her ear.


Follow close this way-keep hold Of my
wrong pew before you are aware of it. She
promised to be here an hourago, and hav mt
the least doubt she has kept her word if it
hadn't been for the delay of old Mag, in let
ting me in, it would have been all over by
This time Was Toms conversation as he
turned the corner of the rope walk and stood
before the boards that concealed Ida. That
was n moment Of suspense unparalleled in the
history of her life. But not once did the idea
| occur to her to retreat from her fixed purpose.
Now is the time for innocence to triumph over
villany, even if that triumph should place
her upon par with the william, thought Ida
as she emerged from her hiding place, and
stood before the wretch who had destroyed
her rhome-driyen to madness her only parent
and in the hour of adversely triumphed over
her innocence by one of the most villanous
schemes in the category of crimes. The
darkness of night, hid the tremor that shook
the nervous composition of the libertine as
he ielt--although lie could not descem OBJ
jeets--he stood in the presence of one he had
50 grossly wronged that no paliating circum-
stances could lie coined for an excuse.


lie knew from actual experience that Ida
was no ordinary woman and nothing he dread
ed more than this meeting. She was the first
to open the conversation, She commenced:


g Young man, once more we meet, but
apprehend the circumstances are rather diff
ferent from those of our last meeting-at that
time you had the advantage of me-to night
the advantage is on my side-your life is in
my hands--it is discretionary with me alto
gethcr whether turn it to account or not.
TO convince you Of the fact feel this piece of
steel it his been stepped iii Prusic acid and a
very small scratch would prove fatal"


George held out his hand, as if by instinct
and touched the metal he tremble like an
aspen leaf.


Ida rcsumed


You perceive did not come here unpre
pared for any emergency--my object was to
have justice, and | am determined, let what
may occur, to have it. | do not know that to
take your life would bc of any advantage to
me, therefore it depends upon circumstances
whether need to bring to my aid this formid-
able weapon.


George uttered not word. He felt lie was
in the presence of a desperate being who
would, if he did not acceed to her wishes,
carry into execution her threats. He had felt
against his bare palm the cold steel that the
injured girl declared had been stepped in a
subtle poison and he firmly believed that she
wonld use it if he failed to do her bidding.
After desperate effort he stammered be-
tween his shivering teeth:


s1What is your wish What do you want
with me, that you have me brought at this
dismal hour of the night to this hiedeous
spot! If You have any business with me let
me hear it and go"


g Be patient young man my business
with you will be of short duration, but ii will
demand your whole attention and require all
your energies to transact it.


You, sir, in every sense Of the word, are a
villan--I have become acquainted with your
past life, and find that the way-you have
served me is only equalled by your conduct
towards others. The time has come when
your horrid career must end, but not your
life. l had thought of taking that, but upon
reflection would not have even the blood of
n murderer upon my head. My satisfaction
shall be of different kind. l will place
a mark upon you, that the world may
know you and shun you as a pestilence. No
more victims of the brothel shall curse you as 1
the instrument of their destruction-no. the
AI. n