The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

32 THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. Foiled, therefore, in getting any information from any one else, Morton eagerly waited until Mabel should herself be suffi- ciently recovered to give him her version of the affair. As the indisposition was of so very simple a character, and arose rather from the sudden revulsion of feeling at finding her- self safe at home, than from any continued terror, it soon yielded, and a glass of wine restored her completely to herself, so that she was able to come down-stairs again and join those whom she always called father and mother, and who, for the care they had taken of her, were eminently entitled to the distinction. Morton kissed her, and so did his wife, and then they sat her down on a sofa between them, and he said,— ‘Tell me, my dear Mabel, what it is that has so much terri- fied you, and I will take steps to prevent for the future such an occurrence as my darling Mabel being annoyed within sight of her own home.” ‘© Ah,” she said. ‘‘ I will never go out without Leo with me.” ‘‘ A wise resolution, dear Mabel.” ‘‘ And yet, Henry,” said his wife, ‘“‘it is something quite new in our peaceful place and neighborhood that any of the family should require protection—we have not an enemy.” ‘‘This was some stranger,” said Mabel. ‘‘I am certain, from the questions he asked, that he was quite strange to Moncton. He seemed like some wandering mendicant, who, when oppor- tunity offered, would scruple not to enforce his demands, and convert au appeal for charity into a robbery.” ‘‘Did he rob you, my dear ?” ‘‘He has my purse.” ‘ Now, really this is too bad. This man must be apprehended. Mabel, why did you not mention this before? We cannot be trespassed upon, insulted, and robbed all at once with im- punity.” ‘*Let me tell vou all that occurred before you come to any decision,” said Mabel. ‘‘ There is more in the affair than meets the eye, at least I fear so.” ‘*'You fear so, Mabel? what have vou to fear?” “Nothing. I know that your persevering love can protect me from harm, and yet am I full of fears.” ‘‘ This is inexplicable.” ‘ Tell us all, my dear,” said Mrs. Morton. ‘‘ We will hear you with patience, and then, as you say, decide.” “You know,” said Mabel, ‘‘ that some time ago Mrs. Clax- ton, at the village, told me that I was not your child.” **Confound her!” said Morton. ‘‘I heard as much. That woman is enough to breed contention and unhappiness among a regiment of angels. Hang her long tongue, what business was it of hers?” ‘“‘It was none, indeed,” said Mabel: ‘‘ but when I told you, you will remember that you said, ‘ Wait till the next anniver- sary of the hattle of Waterloo, and you shall know all that it concerns you to know, that it is in my power fo tell.’ ” ** 1 did—lI did.” ‘To-day is the 18th of June, and my mind was full to over- comicbooks. com