Ellen Walton | Page 8

day in particular; in fact, the
subject had so far escaped my mind, that I had nearly forgotten it
entirely."
"A devoted lover, truly! What am I to think of such unmerited
coldness?" and she burst into tears.
"Come, Eliza, let us understand each other, and be friends."
"Friends! Is that all?"
"Lovers, then."
"Husband and wife, you mean."
"Lovers only; as we have been."
"Am I to understand you as saying you will not fulfill your written

promise of making me your lawful wife?"
"You might be farther from the truth."
"Is this the reward of my devotion? the fruits of my sacrifice? Oh, God,
who shall measure the depths of wickedness of a depraved heart? Sir, I
shall enforce my rights."
"You dare not do it."
"Why not?"
"The very attempt will ruin yourself, and your father's business by
bringing disgrace upon his house."
"I see it, sir; but what if I still proceed?"
"You cannot."
"I can."
"On what plan?"
"On your own written promise."
"You have no such promise."
"Do you deny giving it?"
"I do."
"Then your own hand-writing will condemn you."
"Be certain of that before you proceed."
"You know I have such a document."
"I know you have not."

"Then I will prove it."
And she went in search of the paper, where she had carefully placed it
away. But no paper was to be found! What could have become of it?
She returned.
"Well, let me see your 'document,' as you term it," he said, in a taunting
manner.
"It has been misplaced by some means, but I will find it in time to
answer my purpose."
"Perhaps."
"Durant, you know I have such a paper, and what is the use of denying
it?"
"Again, I repeat, I know no such thing." Then after a pause, he
continued: "We might as well understand each other at once."
He produced a paper, and went on: "Here, I suppose, is the article you
speak of. I see it is in my hand-writing, and lest by any chance it should
again fall into your hands, I will destroy it."
And holding it in the candle, it was soon reduced to ashes. The
outwitted girl sat dumb with astonishment, surprise and dismay, and,
for several seconds, was speechless. When utterance came, she
inquired:
"How, in the name of reason, did you get that paper in your
possession?"
"I will be frank: I watched you putting it away, and the next day I went
and took it."
"And this is my reward for the signal service you demanded as the
price of that written promise?"
"My continued love will be your reward."

"Your love! Think you, vile miscreant, I would have the base
semblance of affection from such a polluted thing as you? No, sir! Now
that I see your depravity, worlds would not tempt me to wed you,
degraded as I am! How I have remained blinded so long is a mystery I
cannot solve, in the overwhelming light of this hour. Thank God, I am
even with you!--Yes, thank Him from the bottom of my heart! You
have deceived me, but in this instance I am not behind you. Ellen
Walton left this house as pure as she entered it! Think you I had no
object in all my restrictions of time, of secrecy and darkness? I had.
One hour in the society of Miss Walton, convinced me of her unsullied
purity, and another of your baseness. I resolved to save her at all
hazards; and I did. My only regret now is, that I made myself the victim
instead of her!"
"H--ll and furies!"
"Even, am I not?"
"May the devil take you!"
"Better take care of the old fellow yourself; and of woman's wit, too!"
"I'll have my revenge yet. I'll swear that I did stay the night with Ellen,
despite your treachery."
"It will do you no good. My sister gave the young lady an attested
certificate, stating that she passed the whole time with her, the two
together, that the door to their room was locked, and that they were
undisturbed during the night.--Nothing like a 'woman's wit!'"
[Illustration: "And drawing a pistol, which some freak had caused her
to conceal in her dress, she made it ready, and, with her finger on the
trigger, aimed it at his heart."--See page 29.]
"I curse you! Vile, treacherous--"
"Spare your epithets, inhuman monster! or, by the heavens above us,
you leave not this spot alive!"

And drawing a pistol, which some freak had caused her to conceal in
her dress, she made it ready, and, with her finger on the trigger, aimed
it at his heart. Like all villains of his caste, he was a coward, and
trembled with quaking fear before the flashing eye and