The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 117: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

114 THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. about it. I can say, and have said, quite enough such to myself. There is no accuser stronger than my own heart.” ‘*Hold! hold! It is now useless to waste time in idle regrets, pater. You certainly took the very worst course you could take. Your plain and straightforward duty was, as soon as Mabel made you acquainted with the contents of that letter, to have reported the circumstance to me.” ‘*J know it, sir; J know it. Good-bye, your honor.” “You must not go. You must remain as usual in my service, Rafferty, and, notwithstanding this most grievous mistake, I have no doubt but that you will be a great assistance in repair- ing it, and assisting to discover Mabel.” ‘* Sir,” said the old sergeant in a voice that showed he was deeply affected, ‘‘if you must have the truth, I don’t mean to leave a square foot of this country unsearched for her.” . Nay, Rafferty, Henry is going on such an expedition.” ‘Let me go witb him, sir. No—no—why do I ask? The boy will hate the sight of me. No—no; I it was that led her, ( r thing, into the snare. No—no; I do not ask to go with im. ‘You had better remain here. Something may occur even in this neighhorbood to give a clew to where she is.” Rafferty shook his head sadly, as he replied: ‘‘T can’t remain here, sir. Every tree, every flower, eve blade of grass, sir, about here would remind me of her. tt would seem as if I had given her away to somebody, and was trying to enjoy the old place without her. J couldn’t do it, sir; I really couldn’t do it. My heart’s almost broke already, and to stay here would soon be a finisher to it outright.” There was much pathos in what the old soldier said. Captain Morton knew well by the strange, wiry tone in which he spoke, that the effort he was compelled to make to sustain some sud- den and violent outbreak of agonized feeling must be a good one. He, therefore, having got from Rafferty all the particulars it was in the old sergeant’s power to tell, determined upon put- ting anend to the interview, and saying no more to him upon the painful and harassing subject until morning. ‘‘ Rafferty,” he said, ‘‘ I will speak to you to-morrow. What you have related concerning our poor Mabel is but a confirma- tion of what we suspected before we saw you to-night. Dis- cussion between us can do but little good. Retire to rest, and to-morrow morniny [I will talk to you again about what is to be done in this sad emergency.” Rafferty moved toward the door, and then he paused, as he said, with evident difficulty: «* And Master Henry is going, sir ?” ‘‘ By daybreak.” The old soldier Jeft the room, and Captain Morton paced the apartment for some time in deep thought upon the occurrences of the night. comicbooks. com