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Article A Life's Hatred. ← Page 3 of 4 Article A Life's Hatred. Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Life's Hatred.
passed her fragile though graceful form . As she leant affectionately on his arm , with her bri ght happy face coyly smiling upon him , she appeared in his fond eyes to be the very incarnation of purity and innocence . They were sauntering slowl y through the glades of a tropical forest , whose huge umbrageous trees sheltered them from the sultry rays of the fast sotting sun . Occasionall y a bird of . lendent
resp plumage or a brilliant insect flew b y like a ray of light . Overhead could be heard the twittering and singing of myriads of birds . In every direction flowers and luxuriant , parasitical plants displayed their varied beauties , and the air was filled with an almost overpowering fragrance from the flora of this deli ghtful region . Choosing a suitable spot they sat down , and conversed on the happiness which they thought was soon to be theirs . As Mr . Mordaunt
pictured that peaceful and lovely evening of the past long ago , and conjured up in his " mind ' s eye " every winning grace and irresistible charm of the fair girl who that night plighted her troth to him , a flood of agony swept unstemmed through his frame , and the strong man , whose life had been so embittered , silently wept , Thus absorbed in a reverie of painful recollections , he did not at first notice a . low but distinct tapping on the outside of the window .
" Some poor bird dying with cold , and attracted b y the light , seeks warmth , " he muttered at last . The sound ceased for a few moments , but was presentl y renewed more energetically than before . Mr . Mordaunt ' s curiosit y being now fairly aroused , he arose from his seat , approached the casementand drew back the curtainswhen
, , a startling sight met his view . The light from the room shone full on the window panes , and its reflection revealed a white and terrified face , that under the peculiar circumstances looked ghastly . Approaching nearer the gentleman utterod an oxclamation of joyful surprise . His next movement was to open the casement and assist
the intruder , who had so strangoly sought admittance , into the nparment . His after proceeding , to an observer , would have appeared singular to a degree , as he clasped the now-comer in his arms , and kissed him warml y on both cheeks .
" Richard , my dear boy , how glad I am to seo you once more . But wh y take this curious method of gaining admittance ? Where have you been ? "
" I was waylaid and taken back to the tents , and to my mother , " answered the youth , with a shudder . " I havo much to tell yon , sir , " ho went on . " I am pleased to see you well , Mr . Mordaunt . I was afraid I should bo too late . "
" Too late ! " exclaimed the gontleman , smiling . " I am sadl y afraid , Richard , that you allow your natural love for romance to get the better of you . However , I will not prejudge you . First , let me ask if you are in need of refreshment ; tho iii ght is bitterl y cold , and you look fatiguod . "
" Thank you , sir , I am tired , but I require nothing save rest . I shall soon recover , as I havo been used all my life to hardship and exposure to every kind of weathor . " " Well , well , " said his companion ; "I will give you a glass of wine , at any rate . " The lad removod his wet outer garments , and took a seat near the fire .
Mr , Mordaunt handed him the wine , and patting his clustering hair , considerately said , "I am very anxious to hear your adventures since you so mysteriousl y disappeared from school some time ago , but if you do not feel equal to the task to-night you may defer the communication until to-morrow . All the household are in bed ; you can , however , sleep on tho couch in this room . I daresay wo shall find some wraps in yonder linen press . "
Without repl ying to these remarks the boy , with a scared look upon his face , strangely enquired , " Arc all the doors and windows fastened , sir ? Have you any firearms in the house ? " Mr . Mordaunt was inclined to laugh at these questions , but there was such a terrible earnestness in the lad ' s manner that forbade the idea of his treating the matter too lightly .
"Your questions are very startling , Lee ; yet to allay your evident anxiet y on the subject I will say that the house is well secured in every respect against marauders . Do you anticipate danger to me or mine Y ' '
" Yes , sir , I do , " was the short reply . n 'Well , then tell me your story , and I shall be able to judge whether your suspicions are soundly based or not , I may , however , tell yon that certain incidents have occurred recently which tend to bear out your supposition that danger is abroad . "
As the lad ' s narrative was many times interrupted b y the qnes tions and general remarks of Mr . Mordaunt , wc will relate it in 0111 own words .
The reader is alread y aware that young Lee disappeared at the conclusion of a football match , and that the most searching enquiries as to his whereabouts were made for week ' s after . The circumstances which took place subsequent to that event we will now detail . Lee had particularly distinguished himself in the game , and on his way back to the school , being somewhat fatigued with his exertions , he
lagged behind the rest of his playmates . At the bend of a dark lane lie heard a slight rustling in the bushes which skirted the road . With a boy ' s natural curiosit y he approached the spot to ascertain the cause , when , to his dismay , a man darted out from a gap in the hedge , and before he had time to shout for assistance , he found himself pinioned in a powerful grasp , and a voice , whose harsh tones he knew but too well , hissed out , " So , my young cub , you arc nabbed
A Life's Hatred.
at last . It is of no use your struggling ; come along quietly , or I will make it the worse for you . " The poor lad , with a cold feeling of despair at his heart , and knowing the violent temper and determination of his uncle , for it was Hugh who had captured him , ceased to resist , and cast-in ™ one sad look in tho direction of the road taken by his schoolfellows he
dejectedly followed the ruffian . The roads taken b y Hugh were but little frequented , and as darkness set in soon after the abduction , poor Lee was quite unable to note by what route he was being conveyed . They walked some miles , and just as a distant clock struck nine a bright light was seen glittering amongst tho leafless trees of a wood , Richard was then surlily commanded hy his companion to hasten his steps as his journey for the present was at an end . The hapless
youth gave an involuntary shudder , and sighed deeply' when he found himself once more surrounded by his quondam associates . A huge fire was burning in an open space , and several gipsies were smokin " their pipes and lazily basking in its genial warmth . " Upon the approach of the new-comers they started to their feet in some alarm , but a few words from Hugh reassured them and they resumed their listless , recumbent positions .
Presently a % voman descended from a caravan and approached the spot where Leo had thrown himself down overcome with grief and fatigue . In a voice of sarcastic bitterness she exclaimed , " Ha , Dick , I welcome yo home again ! Have ye no kissos to give to thy fond mother who has missed ye so much , and whose heart strings arc almost bursting at beholding ye once more ?"
Tho lad slowly raised himself from the prostrate position ho had assumed , and stared wildly at the speaker , who stood where the blaze from tho fire shone fully upon her . Her raven tresses were partly confined by a crimson 'kerchief , her swarthy complexion glowed with health , her dark glistening eyes flashed in tho gleaming light , and her tall , lithe form was dramatically posed .
"What , still silent ? " she continued , in mocking accents . "Ungrateful boy ! Is this the return ye make for all my fostering care ?" Then suddenl y altering her bantering tone , she fiercely added , "Arouse thee from th y stupor thou devil ' s cub , or a thick cudgel shall be laid across thy shoulders ! "
Tho youth gave a visible tremor and then stood defiantly erect . " You may threaten me with blows , " he said , " but I fear ( hem not . You have brought me back to the tents , and I hale you for it . You may slowly starve me , or kill mc outright , but 1 will not resume the wretched life I tied from . "
These words wero spoken in a fearless manner that could not bo mistaken . Hugh scowled , and lifted his stick in a threatening way , but the female gipsy raised her hand dcprecantly , and quietly said , "Well ,
well , my son , we shall seo whether a bread and water diet will not lower thy fiery disposition , and bring ye back to a more pliant mood . Nat , " said she , turning to one of the fellows sitting b y the fire , "keep an eye upon this runaway . If he attempts to movo from this spot without permission thrash him well . "
Havi . ig uttered this maternal injunction she returned to the van in company with her brother . Shortl y afterwards the latter reappeared , and in a surly voieo ordered Richard to enter tho caravan . Upon entering , he porceivod his mother by tho imperfect light of an oil lamp , sitting on a low stool industriously knitting an
article of attire . She motioned him to be seated , and agreeably to the threat she had made she bade him partake of some bread and water , which were placed on a small table . The lad , who had not broken his fast since mid-day , was glad to avail himself of this fare , meagre though it was .
During tho interval that had elapsed between his enforced return to the camp and the present moment , Lee had conic to the conclusion that to put himself in opposition to his mother or her rullianl y brother would be impolitic . His best course , he had also decided , would be to quietly accept the situation , and b y lulling suspicion pave the way to another escape . That night the lad slept undisturbed in tho
caravan . He was aroused next morning by the rough jolting of ( he house on wheels , which was being occasioned by its being removed from the camp . He hurriedly arose from his rude couch , and openin " the shutter of one of the windows gazed forth . The vehicle , which on account of its unusual size , was drawn by two powerful hoiscs , ho
perceived was on the high road , but in consequence of the darkness of the early winter morn the surrounding objects were not discernible . He heard a movement behind him , and flic harsh voice of his mother said , " Dick , I forbid ye to look abroad , if I catch ye niakiii " signs to the passers b y 1 will have ye chained to a log like a dog . "
With a heavy sigh the unfortunate youth left the lattice , and in a dejected manner flung himself upon ( lie rags he had just quitted . The woman looked at hint for a few moments with a sneering expression upon her dark face , but did not again address him for some time .
The caravan jogged along for several hours , and at last was brought to a standstill for the night on a waste piece of common land , it was halted near a dense copse of fir trees ( hat gave a welcome shelter from the cutting north-east wind then raging . Lee ' s mother , as the day wore on , grew less stern in her manner , and had
allowed him a little more freedom of action . This was doubtless due to the fact that he had promised her thai he would not , seek to attract , the attention of the people they met on tho road . The shut-tors of the six little windows that gave light to the Iwo compartments of the caravan was open , and consequentl y it would have been an easy matter for Leo to have called for assistance from the inhabitants of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Life's Hatred.
passed her fragile though graceful form . As she leant affectionately on his arm , with her bri ght happy face coyly smiling upon him , she appeared in his fond eyes to be the very incarnation of purity and innocence . They were sauntering slowl y through the glades of a tropical forest , whose huge umbrageous trees sheltered them from the sultry rays of the fast sotting sun . Occasionall y a bird of . lendent
resp plumage or a brilliant insect flew b y like a ray of light . Overhead could be heard the twittering and singing of myriads of birds . In every direction flowers and luxuriant , parasitical plants displayed their varied beauties , and the air was filled with an almost overpowering fragrance from the flora of this deli ghtful region . Choosing a suitable spot they sat down , and conversed on the happiness which they thought was soon to be theirs . As Mr . Mordaunt
pictured that peaceful and lovely evening of the past long ago , and conjured up in his " mind ' s eye " every winning grace and irresistible charm of the fair girl who that night plighted her troth to him , a flood of agony swept unstemmed through his frame , and the strong man , whose life had been so embittered , silently wept , Thus absorbed in a reverie of painful recollections , he did not at first notice a . low but distinct tapping on the outside of the window .
" Some poor bird dying with cold , and attracted b y the light , seeks warmth , " he muttered at last . The sound ceased for a few moments , but was presentl y renewed more energetically than before . Mr . Mordaunt ' s curiosit y being now fairly aroused , he arose from his seat , approached the casementand drew back the curtainswhen
, , a startling sight met his view . The light from the room shone full on the window panes , and its reflection revealed a white and terrified face , that under the peculiar circumstances looked ghastly . Approaching nearer the gentleman utterod an oxclamation of joyful surprise . His next movement was to open the casement and assist
the intruder , who had so strangoly sought admittance , into the nparment . His after proceeding , to an observer , would have appeared singular to a degree , as he clasped the now-comer in his arms , and kissed him warml y on both cheeks .
" Richard , my dear boy , how glad I am to seo you once more . But wh y take this curious method of gaining admittance ? Where have you been ? "
" I was waylaid and taken back to the tents , and to my mother , " answered the youth , with a shudder . " I havo much to tell yon , sir , " ho went on . " I am pleased to see you well , Mr . Mordaunt . I was afraid I should bo too late . "
" Too late ! " exclaimed the gontleman , smiling . " I am sadl y afraid , Richard , that you allow your natural love for romance to get the better of you . However , I will not prejudge you . First , let me ask if you are in need of refreshment ; tho iii ght is bitterl y cold , and you look fatiguod . "
" Thank you , sir , I am tired , but I require nothing save rest . I shall soon recover , as I havo been used all my life to hardship and exposure to every kind of weathor . " " Well , well , " said his companion ; "I will give you a glass of wine , at any rate . " The lad removod his wet outer garments , and took a seat near the fire .
Mr , Mordaunt handed him the wine , and patting his clustering hair , considerately said , "I am very anxious to hear your adventures since you so mysteriousl y disappeared from school some time ago , but if you do not feel equal to the task to-night you may defer the communication until to-morrow . All the household are in bed ; you can , however , sleep on tho couch in this room . I daresay wo shall find some wraps in yonder linen press . "
Without repl ying to these remarks the boy , with a scared look upon his face , strangely enquired , " Arc all the doors and windows fastened , sir ? Have you any firearms in the house ? " Mr . Mordaunt was inclined to laugh at these questions , but there was such a terrible earnestness in the lad ' s manner that forbade the idea of his treating the matter too lightly .
"Your questions are very startling , Lee ; yet to allay your evident anxiet y on the subject I will say that the house is well secured in every respect against marauders . Do you anticipate danger to me or mine Y ' '
" Yes , sir , I do , " was the short reply . n 'Well , then tell me your story , and I shall be able to judge whether your suspicions are soundly based or not , I may , however , tell yon that certain incidents have occurred recently which tend to bear out your supposition that danger is abroad . "
As the lad ' s narrative was many times interrupted b y the qnes tions and general remarks of Mr . Mordaunt , wc will relate it in 0111 own words .
The reader is alread y aware that young Lee disappeared at the conclusion of a football match , and that the most searching enquiries as to his whereabouts were made for week ' s after . The circumstances which took place subsequent to that event we will now detail . Lee had particularly distinguished himself in the game , and on his way back to the school , being somewhat fatigued with his exertions , he
lagged behind the rest of his playmates . At the bend of a dark lane lie heard a slight rustling in the bushes which skirted the road . With a boy ' s natural curiosit y he approached the spot to ascertain the cause , when , to his dismay , a man darted out from a gap in the hedge , and before he had time to shout for assistance , he found himself pinioned in a powerful grasp , and a voice , whose harsh tones he knew but too well , hissed out , " So , my young cub , you arc nabbed
A Life's Hatred.
at last . It is of no use your struggling ; come along quietly , or I will make it the worse for you . " The poor lad , with a cold feeling of despair at his heart , and knowing the violent temper and determination of his uncle , for it was Hugh who had captured him , ceased to resist , and cast-in ™ one sad look in tho direction of the road taken by his schoolfellows he
dejectedly followed the ruffian . The roads taken b y Hugh were but little frequented , and as darkness set in soon after the abduction , poor Lee was quite unable to note by what route he was being conveyed . They walked some miles , and just as a distant clock struck nine a bright light was seen glittering amongst tho leafless trees of a wood , Richard was then surlily commanded hy his companion to hasten his steps as his journey for the present was at an end . The hapless
youth gave an involuntary shudder , and sighed deeply' when he found himself once more surrounded by his quondam associates . A huge fire was burning in an open space , and several gipsies were smokin " their pipes and lazily basking in its genial warmth . " Upon the approach of the new-comers they started to their feet in some alarm , but a few words from Hugh reassured them and they resumed their listless , recumbent positions .
Presently a % voman descended from a caravan and approached the spot where Leo had thrown himself down overcome with grief and fatigue . In a voice of sarcastic bitterness she exclaimed , " Ha , Dick , I welcome yo home again ! Have ye no kissos to give to thy fond mother who has missed ye so much , and whose heart strings arc almost bursting at beholding ye once more ?"
Tho lad slowly raised himself from the prostrate position ho had assumed , and stared wildly at the speaker , who stood where the blaze from tho fire shone fully upon her . Her raven tresses were partly confined by a crimson 'kerchief , her swarthy complexion glowed with health , her dark glistening eyes flashed in tho gleaming light , and her tall , lithe form was dramatically posed .
"What , still silent ? " she continued , in mocking accents . "Ungrateful boy ! Is this the return ye make for all my fostering care ?" Then suddenl y altering her bantering tone , she fiercely added , "Arouse thee from th y stupor thou devil ' s cub , or a thick cudgel shall be laid across thy shoulders ! "
Tho youth gave a visible tremor and then stood defiantly erect . " You may threaten me with blows , " he said , " but I fear ( hem not . You have brought me back to the tents , and I hale you for it . You may slowly starve me , or kill mc outright , but 1 will not resume the wretched life I tied from . "
These words wero spoken in a fearless manner that could not bo mistaken . Hugh scowled , and lifted his stick in a threatening way , but the female gipsy raised her hand dcprecantly , and quietly said , "Well ,
well , my son , we shall seo whether a bread and water diet will not lower thy fiery disposition , and bring ye back to a more pliant mood . Nat , " said she , turning to one of the fellows sitting b y the fire , "keep an eye upon this runaway . If he attempts to movo from this spot without permission thrash him well . "
Havi . ig uttered this maternal injunction she returned to the van in company with her brother . Shortl y afterwards the latter reappeared , and in a surly voieo ordered Richard to enter tho caravan . Upon entering , he porceivod his mother by tho imperfect light of an oil lamp , sitting on a low stool industriously knitting an
article of attire . She motioned him to be seated , and agreeably to the threat she had made she bade him partake of some bread and water , which were placed on a small table . The lad , who had not broken his fast since mid-day , was glad to avail himself of this fare , meagre though it was .
During tho interval that had elapsed between his enforced return to the camp and the present moment , Lee had conic to the conclusion that to put himself in opposition to his mother or her rullianl y brother would be impolitic . His best course , he had also decided , would be to quietly accept the situation , and b y lulling suspicion pave the way to another escape . That night the lad slept undisturbed in tho
caravan . He was aroused next morning by the rough jolting of ( he house on wheels , which was being occasioned by its being removed from the camp . He hurriedly arose from his rude couch , and openin " the shutter of one of the windows gazed forth . The vehicle , which on account of its unusual size , was drawn by two powerful hoiscs , ho
perceived was on the high road , but in consequence of the darkness of the early winter morn the surrounding objects were not discernible . He heard a movement behind him , and flic harsh voice of his mother said , " Dick , I forbid ye to look abroad , if I catch ye niakiii " signs to the passers b y 1 will have ye chained to a log like a dog . "
With a heavy sigh the unfortunate youth left the lattice , and in a dejected manner flung himself upon ( lie rags he had just quitted . The woman looked at hint for a few moments with a sneering expression upon her dark face , but did not again address him for some time .
The caravan jogged along for several hours , and at last was brought to a standstill for the night on a waste piece of common land , it was halted near a dense copse of fir trees ( hat gave a welcome shelter from the cutting north-east wind then raging . Lee ' s mother , as the day wore on , grew less stern in her manner , and had
allowed him a little more freedom of action . This was doubtless due to the fact that he had promised her thai he would not , seek to attract , the attention of the people they met on tho road . The shut-tors of the six little windows that gave light to the Iwo compartments of the caravan was open , and consequentl y it would have been an easy matter for Leo to have called for assistance from the inhabitants of