The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

24 _ THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. Already did Mabel begin to repent of the bargain she had made, when she saw what a brutal exultation it produced in the mind of the fellow who had so far induced her to hold a conver- sation with him on a subject upon which she had never opened her lips to any one save him who was her benefactor, and all to her that a parent could be. Even now, could she have succeeded in doing so with any de- ree of safety, she would have flown from the spot, but she Greaded to make the least movement to undo the swinging ate, lest he should rush forward and _lay violent hands upon er; and what could she, young and delicately formed as she was, expect to be able to do against the reckless ruffian who stood before her? When he had indulged himself as much as he wished in his contemplations of a change in his prospects, he bent his keen eyes upon Mabel’s face, and in a voice of triumphant malice he cried: ‘‘Come, then, is Morton rich ?” ‘* T_T believe he is rich.” ‘‘Good. Is he married ?” “Yes,” said Mabel, pleased to find the questions such as she could answer without any breach of confidence. ‘‘ Has he ever told you how he came by the care of you?” ‘« Never.” ‘¢You don’t know, then, any other name than that of Ma- bel ?” ‘“‘They call me Mabel Morton; I know no other name, al: though [ know that to that one I am not entitled.” ** How old are you ?” ‘¢T do not know; I think I am about sixteen.” ‘Right; the presumption is correct. What’s at the end of that gold chain round your neck, eh ?” ‘¢ A cross.” ‘‘ A cross! let me see it.” ‘No, no; [ have given you what money I had; that I do not -value, but I will not part with this, It is precious to me, for it was round my neck when I was an infant, and I have often been told by those who have been so kind to me, never to part with it.” ‘‘Indeed; you won’t show it to me ?” “‘T will not.” ‘(It is made of brilliants set in a white-colored gold.” Mabel started. ‘You seem surprised, but you see I know a thing or two. It is of value—I mean it is of intrinsic value. If you preserve it with any notion that it will assist you in discovering your pa- rents or family, you are wrong, it will do no such thing—I know better. Give itto me. I can tell you more in one minute than ever you could discover by any one’s recognition of that cross in a hundred years,” ‘‘T will not give it to you.” ‘* Remember, I have told you nothing.” comicbooks. com