Ellen Walton | Page 6

that bitterness you shall drink
till your soul sickens unto death! I will never lose sight of you! Go
where you may, I will follow you! Hide in what corner of the world
you may, I will find you! When you meet me, remember I am an
implacable enemy, seeking revenge!"
"Go, vile miscreant, from my presence! Think not to intimidate me.
Better an 'open enemy than a secret foe.' I am glad you have unmasked
yourself so fully. Now I know that I have escaped the worst fate on
earth."
"Not the worst! To be the wife of even a villain is better than to be his
victim!"
"Leave my presence, sir, or I will call a slave to put you out! Infamous
wretch! The curse of God be upon you!"
He went, quailing under the flash of her indignant eye, which made his
guilty soul cower in abasement.
When he was fairly gone, her high strung energies relaxed, and the
reaction prostrated her strength. She sunk upon a lounge, and, giving

way to her feelings, exclaimed:
"That man may yet work the ruin of my happiness! Oh, God, pity me,
and let not the wicked triumph! In Thee I put my trust. Let thy watchful
eye be over me, and thy power protect me. Oh, let me not fall into the
hands of my enemy; but preserve me by thy right hand, and keep me
lifted up!"
Prayer gave her strength, and renewed her courage. Relying, with firm
faith, on the goodness and watchful care of her Father in heaven, she
became cheerful and composed.
She very seldom saw or heard anything of Durant, but when she did, it
always awakened fear. For a year she heard nothing of him, and, at last,
the old dread had passed from her heart, when her father prepared to go
to the West.
As for Durant, he went from her presence muttering curses and
threatening vengeance, among which was distinguished by a slave,
grated out between his clenched teeth, "I'll make her repent this day's
work in 'sack-cloth and ashes!' aye, if all h--ll oppose!"
CHAPTER III.
THE VILLAIN AND HIS VICTIM.
The reader has, doubtless, arrived at the conclusion that Durant was
planning the destruction of Ellen Walton when he so earnestly desired
the assistance of Miss Fleming; and it will now be perceived how false
were his statements in relation to the character of the expected guest.
Though unseen himself, he had taken every precaution to make certain
of the party at the Fleming Hotel; and just at the close of day he had the
satisfaction of seeing his efforts crowned with success. General Walton,
influenced by the tales his daughter's foe had whispered to him in
confidence, passed by the more elegant houses, which, but for
defaming reports, he would have preferred making his abode during his
short stay in the place, and took lodgings at the "Fleming."

Eliza Fleming made the acquaintance of her young female guest, and
every fresh insight into Miss Walton's character made her regret the
hard necessity she was under of doing her an injury. She had a hard
struggle in her mind, but at length her determination was fixed. To
procure the ruin of the innocent guest, (for she had thoroughly satisfied
herself that Miss Walton was innocent and virtuous,) whom every
obligation of hospitality required her to protect, was indeed damnable;
but to forfeit the hand of Durant under the circumstances was
impossible, and not to be thought of. Poor Ellen! Heaven shield thee!
Durant was not seen by any of the Waltons, as it was his object to keep
them in entire ignorance of his proximity until such time as he chose to
reveal himself. Miss Fleming knew where to find him; and, according
to agreement, met him during the evening, to arrange some matters
connected with the plot.
"Louis, you have required too much at my hands in this affair. I fear I
shall not be able to comply with the terms of agreement."
"Then return my written promise of marriage, and live to be despised
and a by-word among men! I thought the matter was definitely settled,
and that you had resolved to save your own honor and name at every
hazard."
"But is this my only hope?"
"Yes, as true as there is a God in heaven, it is. I will forsake you
forever unless you comply with my wishes in this affair."
"Then I must name some conditions, to which I shall demand the
strictest compliance on your part."
"Name them."
"In the first place, then, to avoid the possibility of noise or mishap, I
will give the lady a potion, which will stupefy her faculties, and cause a
deep sleep to lock up all her senses for