The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 88 flowing of a subject so interesting to me. I knew from your answer that what Mrs. Claxton had said was so far true, how- ever wrong it was of her to say it, and I became extremely anx- ious to know what I was, and how I came to be with such kind friends who were not related to me, and yet were all the world to me, ‘‘ But, my dear, what has this to do with your being alarmed in the wilderness by the too abrupt importunities of a mendi- oot the rougher wickedness of one we may call a highway- man?’ ‘** You shall hear.” . Henry Morton and his wife exchanged a glance of alarm. Ma- bel then proceeded to relate to them with particularity every- thing that had occurred, and concluded by saying: ‘‘ Dear, kind, good friends—parents, as I may indeed call you —can I now do otkerwise than believe that this man, desperate as his demeanor was, and despicable as was his conduct, knows something of me which I would give worlds to hear?” Morton was silent for a few moments,,and his wife hid her face in her handkerchief. The same dreadful idea had come over both of them, that in that interview which Mabel had had with the stranger, there was the commencement of some train of cir- cumstances which might tear her from their arms. Mabel was inexpressibly grieved at these symptoms of disquie- tude which her friends betrayed; she threw herself on Mrs. Mor- ton’s breast, and exclaimed: ‘‘I know it, I feel assured that there is some dreadful mystery attached to my birth which you dread to disclose for fear of the unhappiness it would give me. But do not keep it from me; let me know the very worst, and in your love I will find a joyful recompense for any other evil, be it what it may.” ‘*No, no; you are wrong, Mabel, you are wrong,” said Mor- ton, with tenderness. ‘‘ You.do not guess aright the cause of this emotion which we feel. It is on your account, but not from the reason you fancy.” ‘‘Then tell me all. Redeem the promise which you made to me, and tell me who and what I am.” The enous looked at each other distressfully, and Mrs. Mor- ton said: ‘* Mabel, will you leave us, and allow us to consult upon what is best to be done in this matter ?” ‘Oh, that you would trust me,” said Mabel, as she rose to proceed to the door. Henry Morton went after her, and took her hand tenderly in his before she could pass out of the room. ) “‘My dear Mabel,” he said, ‘‘ believe us, it is not that we hesitate about trusting you that we hesitate to tell you all we know; but there are many things to be considered.” ‘‘T meant my words not for a reproach,” said Mabel, her eyes filling with tears as she spoke. “*] know you did not, dear Mabel—I am sure you did not; but be calm and patient. Believe—continue to believe, a3 I know you do, that we have your best happiness at heart.” comicbooks. com