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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.
to carry both men into the house . The youth was then despatched on horseback to the nearest surgeon ' s , and also to acquaint Mr . Maitland , the justice , with the news of the outrage . The horses of the fellows wci-e discovered tethered to a ti'ee just outside the entrance gates , close to which spot the stranger and his gipsy companion had scaled the wall by a rope-ladder . Air . Mordaunt ' s next care was to sec if
any life remained in his faithfnl servitor ' s body . The heart of the unfortunate man still beat , but it was painfully evident that his last moments were at , hand . The gentleman , ponding the arrival of the surgeon , did what he could to staunch and bandage the wounds . In the meantime , the gardener , aided by young Lee , had attended to the wound of the stranger , who , still unconscious , lay breathing heavily .
While thus humanely engaged , they were startled by a piercing scream , followed by a heavy fall . Lamp in hand Mr . Mordaunt at once darted towards the spot whence the noise had proceeded and discovered one of the female servants in a swoon close to the bod y of Hugh . In coming downstairs she had stumbled over the corpse , and in her fright had fainted away .
This was the first intimation Mr . Mordaunt had of the tragic episode that had taken place within the house , as he and Lee had descended to the gai'den by some back stairs , and consequently had not seen the body of tho gipsy . This additional discovery increased the horror and confusion of the scene .
Mr . Mordaunt , upon his return , perceivod that tho wounded man Armand had regained consciousness . The poor fellow ' s bloodshot eyes lighted up with pleasure as ho recognised his master . The latter advanced and took his servitor ' s hand within his own and bent with concern over him . The tones of the d ying man were faint but distinct . His first words were , " Thank Heaven , sir , you are unhurt !"
" My good Pierre , how did this happen ? " asked Air . Mordaunt , nnxiously . The other , in a disjointed but succinct manner , related the startling details with which the reader is already acquainted . The
owner of the Limes was painfully affected b y Armand ' s devotion . It grieved him exceedingly to know that such heroism had brought death to his preserver . It was clear to him that the miscreants who had broken into the house had been actuated by other intentions than those of mere plunder ; an attempt was to have been mado upon his lifo .
After the recital of his adventures , the hapless valet relapsod to insensibility , and it was apparent that he was journeying fast to that " country from whose bouvu no traveller returns . " All at once ho started up with a wild delirious cry , and flung his unwoiinded arm around his master , as if to shiold him from some danger which his imagination had engendered . It was , alas , the final effort of expiring nature , his head then drooped on Ah ' . Alordaunt ' s shoulder , a deep sigli escaped him , and all was over .
The gentleman , who was deepl y distressed , then went behind a screen where the murderer of his servant had been placed . The wounded man was partly l ying in shadow . From motives of curiosit y , Air . Mordaunt turned the lamp so that its rays illuminated tho features of the stranger . Ho had no sooner done so than he quite stai'tled the gardener and Lee , who were at the side of tho couch , by uttering a loud cry .
"Merciful Heavens ! " ho exclaimed , " can the grave give back its dead ? " His tones were so piercing , that the stranger aroused , moved uneasily on his pillow , and opened his eyes . "Do I indeed behold in yon stricken wretch , my miserable twin-brother Stephen ? " continued Air . Alordaunt , dreamily .
"Yes , and tho recognition , apparently , is not a pleasing one ;" contemptuously said the other , in hollow tones , whilst a deep crimson flush overspread his haggard face and a sinister scowl settled on his brow .
"I thought that you had long since been numbered with the dead , " returned Air . Alordaunt . " Wretched man ! what harm have I ever done thee that thou shouldst break into my house like a robber and excite another to murder me ? " "You know the reason of old , " hissed Stephen through his pallid lips . "You know you were always the favoured son of our father .
You so wound yourself , by your smooth , hypocritical ways , around tho old man ' s heart , that my youthful follies were magnified and his feelings were estranged . Your vile scheme was successful , as in the end he banished me from the house with a miserable pittance , whilst you ultimately became the possessor of his wealth . I swore I would sooner or later be terribly revenged . "
" As God is my judge , exclaimed Air . Alordaunt , " you wrong me , Stephen , bitterl y wrong me ! - I interceded for you many times when rumours came of your wild , disreputable doings in London . Our father was loth to believe all that was reported to your disadvantage , and it was only when he heard the truth from his man of business , who had been instructed to make careful enquiries , that he forbade
you the house . When the doctor told him that his illness was mortal , he forgave you ; but the day before he died , the news arrived ( hat you had forged his name for a considerable amount of money , and ho then , notwithstanding my entreaties , at once altered his will by which j'ou were left penniless . After the funeral , I went to tho Metropolis
to seek you out , but all traces of your whereabouts had disappeared . Shortly afterwards , I read in the Morning Post that a coat and hat had been found in one of the alcoves of AVestminsler Bridge under peculiar circumstances . It appeared that a man , one dark night , had been seen by a watchman on the bridge gazing rivcrwards . Oil the constable ' s return , a little later on , thy man had vanished .
A Life's Hatred.
but a coat and hat Avere discovered lying near the spot as if they had been thrown hastily down ; everything pointed to suicide . In tho breast pocket of the garment , a book was found containing papers bearing tho name of Stephen Alordaunt . I at once posted to town ,
the documents wore shown to mo , and I recognised your handwriting on the memoi'anda . I offered a heavy reward to any one finding your body . No tidings , however , reached me , and I thought that you had culminated yonr dissipated career b y committing' selfdestruction . "
"Ah ! I thank you for tho fraternal interest you manifested in the matter , " feebly sneered the reprobate . " It was no doubt a subject of great consolation to you to believe , poor fool , that I was for ever removed from your path . But you were mistaken . It was a ruse as old as the hills , yet if served my purpose well . I read the
placard offering the reward , and I chuckled to think how cleverl y I had thrown dust in the eyes of my wily brother . Now comes my story , listen and quail . I lived to striko yon effectively , and in a mode yon little expected . Aline was the hand that indicted upon you a blow far more keen and deadly than that of a dagger ' s point . It was an exquisite revongo , and yon knew not the striker . "
Air . Alordaunt was inexpressibly shocked to hear the latter romarks of his unreponting brother . It was also painful for him to mark t . 'ie expression of malignity which immediatel y showed itself on the countenance of the wounded man . " What blow ? " quoried he . " I know of none , except tho ono you struck to-night when you slew my poor faithful friend and servant vonder . "
" That was given in self-defence , " was the cool reply . " Search your heart ; carry your mind back some fifteen years ago , and if your grief at the time was not assumed , you will penetrate tho mystery . " Air . Alordaunt started to his foot , his body shook as if with the palsy , he changed colour , and his eyes stared in wonderment at the speaker , but he spoke not . The wounded man seemed keenl y to enjoy the astonishment and emotion of his brother .
"I see , " he continued , " that a light has dawned upon you . Yes , Reginald , lam the man who stepped in between you and the beautiful , though fickle , Alice . I poisoned her mind against you , and ultimatel y she fled with me to England . I may ' tell you that , after my supposed suicide , I had kept a close watch upon your actions , and soon after yon left this country to join our uncle in the West Indies , I followed . Afy intention then was to have put an end to
you , and as you wero strong and careless , I thought it extremel y pi-obable that yon would not trouble yourself as a young man to make a will . That being so , I should have sailed ( o England , proved my identity , and claimed yonr property as next of kin . When I discovered that you were on the eve of marrying Alice Daley , I renounced my original plan and determined to wrest your mistress from you , and I succeeded beyond my most sanguine hopes—Alice became mine . "
"Air . Alordaunt , transfixed like one in a dream , was gazing vacantly at the speaker during this cold-blooded confession . When tho well-known name of Alice fell upon his ear , he moaned forth" Aliserablo man , where is she now ? " "That is a question I cannot answer , as I . am sceptical on tho point . I may , perhaps , learn ero long , as I am about to take ' a leap in the dark , ' but even that affords me satisfaction as you , for tho present , will be none the wiser . "
" How can yo '; i at such a moment jest on so solemn a subject ? , " was tho remark of the other . " Alice then is dead , poor girl , poor o-irl ? "
" Yes ; she died not far from here , " was the answer . " Died not far from hero ? " repeated Reginald , in tones of astonishment . " She breathed her last uistaiw , " said Stephen . "With all my faults , she loved me to the e . id , and I did not know what a treasure I had lostnntil too late . "
Are you the man who , under the name of Percival , occupied this house and was subsequently supposed to have been lost in the 'Bcnbow' ? " demanded Mr . Alordaunt . " I am , " assented his brother . "I was in that vessel when she foundered witJi all her crew . I was tho only passenger whoeseapod
by clinging to some wreckage , and was rescued by a foreign ship bound for South America . The Captain offered L o land me at ono of the British ports , but I elected to go with him to his destination . " Sternl y looking at him , Mr . Alordaunt said— " Had yon not better complete your confession and acknowledge a still blacker , and , tome , most incomprehensible crime ? "
" What crime ? Speak out ! 1 know not what you mean , " stammeved Stephen , starting up . "Tho murder of poor Alice ' s child , " was the stern rejoinder . " In a dream the hideous tragedy was revealed to me , and the poor innocent ' s bones were discovered by me secreted in the vaults boneath this house . "
A grim smile passed over the face of ( he wretched man as he sank back . " For the future , put not your faith in dreams my most sapient brother , " said he , sarcastically . "The remains you found were not his . Alice had but one child , and there he stands . " " Is Richard Lee your son ? " cried the astounded listener .
" He is , and a wealthy prize you will find him . He is heir to the property of one , Jonathan Daley , his mother ' s uncle . For the boy ' s sake , I may as well tell you everything . When Alice and I came to England , 1 invested all the money she had in a gambling concern at
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Life's Hatred.
to carry both men into the house . The youth was then despatched on horseback to the nearest surgeon ' s , and also to acquaint Mr . Maitland , the justice , with the news of the outrage . The horses of the fellows wci-e discovered tethered to a ti'ee just outside the entrance gates , close to which spot the stranger and his gipsy companion had scaled the wall by a rope-ladder . Air . Mordaunt ' s next care was to sec if
any life remained in his faithfnl servitor ' s body . The heart of the unfortunate man still beat , but it was painfully evident that his last moments were at , hand . The gentleman , ponding the arrival of the surgeon , did what he could to staunch and bandage the wounds . In the meantime , the gardener , aided by young Lee , had attended to the wound of the stranger , who , still unconscious , lay breathing heavily .
While thus humanely engaged , they were startled by a piercing scream , followed by a heavy fall . Lamp in hand Mr . Mordaunt at once darted towards the spot whence the noise had proceeded and discovered one of the female servants in a swoon close to the bod y of Hugh . In coming downstairs she had stumbled over the corpse , and in her fright had fainted away .
This was the first intimation Mr . Mordaunt had of the tragic episode that had taken place within the house , as he and Lee had descended to the gai'den by some back stairs , and consequently had not seen the body of tho gipsy . This additional discovery increased the horror and confusion of the scene .
Mr . Mordaunt , upon his return , perceivod that tho wounded man Armand had regained consciousness . The poor fellow ' s bloodshot eyes lighted up with pleasure as ho recognised his master . The latter advanced and took his servitor ' s hand within his own and bent with concern over him . The tones of the d ying man were faint but distinct . His first words were , " Thank Heaven , sir , you are unhurt !"
" My good Pierre , how did this happen ? " asked Air . Mordaunt , nnxiously . The other , in a disjointed but succinct manner , related the startling details with which the reader is already acquainted . The
owner of the Limes was painfully affected b y Armand ' s devotion . It grieved him exceedingly to know that such heroism had brought death to his preserver . It was clear to him that the miscreants who had broken into the house had been actuated by other intentions than those of mere plunder ; an attempt was to have been mado upon his lifo .
After the recital of his adventures , the hapless valet relapsod to insensibility , and it was apparent that he was journeying fast to that " country from whose bouvu no traveller returns . " All at once ho started up with a wild delirious cry , and flung his unwoiinded arm around his master , as if to shiold him from some danger which his imagination had engendered . It was , alas , the final effort of expiring nature , his head then drooped on Ah ' . Alordaunt ' s shoulder , a deep sigli escaped him , and all was over .
The gentleman , who was deepl y distressed , then went behind a screen where the murderer of his servant had been placed . The wounded man was partly l ying in shadow . From motives of curiosit y , Air . Mordaunt turned the lamp so that its rays illuminated tho features of the stranger . Ho had no sooner done so than he quite stai'tled the gardener and Lee , who were at the side of tho couch , by uttering a loud cry .
"Merciful Heavens ! " ho exclaimed , " can the grave give back its dead ? " His tones were so piercing , that the stranger aroused , moved uneasily on his pillow , and opened his eyes . "Do I indeed behold in yon stricken wretch , my miserable twin-brother Stephen ? " continued Air . Alordaunt , dreamily .
"Yes , and tho recognition , apparently , is not a pleasing one ;" contemptuously said the other , in hollow tones , whilst a deep crimson flush overspread his haggard face and a sinister scowl settled on his brow .
"I thought that you had long since been numbered with the dead , " returned Air . Alordaunt . " Wretched man ! what harm have I ever done thee that thou shouldst break into my house like a robber and excite another to murder me ? " "You know the reason of old , " hissed Stephen through his pallid lips . "You know you were always the favoured son of our father .
You so wound yourself , by your smooth , hypocritical ways , around tho old man ' s heart , that my youthful follies were magnified and his feelings were estranged . Your vile scheme was successful , as in the end he banished me from the house with a miserable pittance , whilst you ultimately became the possessor of his wealth . I swore I would sooner or later be terribly revenged . "
" As God is my judge , exclaimed Air . Alordaunt , " you wrong me , Stephen , bitterl y wrong me ! - I interceded for you many times when rumours came of your wild , disreputable doings in London . Our father was loth to believe all that was reported to your disadvantage , and it was only when he heard the truth from his man of business , who had been instructed to make careful enquiries , that he forbade
you the house . When the doctor told him that his illness was mortal , he forgave you ; but the day before he died , the news arrived ( hat you had forged his name for a considerable amount of money , and ho then , notwithstanding my entreaties , at once altered his will by which j'ou were left penniless . After the funeral , I went to tho Metropolis
to seek you out , but all traces of your whereabouts had disappeared . Shortly afterwards , I read in the Morning Post that a coat and hat had been found in one of the alcoves of AVestminsler Bridge under peculiar circumstances . It appeared that a man , one dark night , had been seen by a watchman on the bridge gazing rivcrwards . Oil the constable ' s return , a little later on , thy man had vanished .
A Life's Hatred.
but a coat and hat Avere discovered lying near the spot as if they had been thrown hastily down ; everything pointed to suicide . In tho breast pocket of the garment , a book was found containing papers bearing tho name of Stephen Alordaunt . I at once posted to town ,
the documents wore shown to mo , and I recognised your handwriting on the memoi'anda . I offered a heavy reward to any one finding your body . No tidings , however , reached me , and I thought that you had culminated yonr dissipated career b y committing' selfdestruction . "
"Ah ! I thank you for tho fraternal interest you manifested in the matter , " feebly sneered the reprobate . " It was no doubt a subject of great consolation to you to believe , poor fool , that I was for ever removed from your path . But you were mistaken . It was a ruse as old as the hills , yet if served my purpose well . I read the
placard offering the reward , and I chuckled to think how cleverl y I had thrown dust in the eyes of my wily brother . Now comes my story , listen and quail . I lived to striko yon effectively , and in a mode yon little expected . Aline was the hand that indicted upon you a blow far more keen and deadly than that of a dagger ' s point . It was an exquisite revongo , and yon knew not the striker . "
Air . Alordaunt was inexpressibly shocked to hear the latter romarks of his unreponting brother . It was also painful for him to mark t . 'ie expression of malignity which immediatel y showed itself on the countenance of the wounded man . " What blow ? " quoried he . " I know of none , except tho ono you struck to-night when you slew my poor faithful friend and servant vonder . "
" That was given in self-defence , " was the cool reply . " Search your heart ; carry your mind back some fifteen years ago , and if your grief at the time was not assumed , you will penetrate tho mystery . " Air . Alordaunt started to his foot , his body shook as if with the palsy , he changed colour , and his eyes stared in wonderment at the speaker , but he spoke not . The wounded man seemed keenl y to enjoy the astonishment and emotion of his brother .
"I see , " he continued , " that a light has dawned upon you . Yes , Reginald , lam the man who stepped in between you and the beautiful , though fickle , Alice . I poisoned her mind against you , and ultimatel y she fled with me to England . I may ' tell you that , after my supposed suicide , I had kept a close watch upon your actions , and soon after yon left this country to join our uncle in the West Indies , I followed . Afy intention then was to have put an end to
you , and as you wero strong and careless , I thought it extremel y pi-obable that yon would not trouble yourself as a young man to make a will . That being so , I should have sailed ( o England , proved my identity , and claimed yonr property as next of kin . When I discovered that you were on the eve of marrying Alice Daley , I renounced my original plan and determined to wrest your mistress from you , and I succeeded beyond my most sanguine hopes—Alice became mine . "
"Air . Alordaunt , transfixed like one in a dream , was gazing vacantly at the speaker during this cold-blooded confession . When tho well-known name of Alice fell upon his ear , he moaned forth" Aliserablo man , where is she now ? " "That is a question I cannot answer , as I . am sceptical on tho point . I may , perhaps , learn ero long , as I am about to take ' a leap in the dark , ' but even that affords me satisfaction as you , for tho present , will be none the wiser . "
" How can yo '; i at such a moment jest on so solemn a subject ? , " was tho remark of the other . " Alice then is dead , poor girl , poor o-irl ? "
" Yes ; she died not far from here , " was the answer . " Died not far from hero ? " repeated Reginald , in tones of astonishment . " She breathed her last uistaiw , " said Stephen . "With all my faults , she loved me to the e . id , and I did not know what a treasure I had lostnntil too late . "
Are you the man who , under the name of Percival , occupied this house and was subsequently supposed to have been lost in the 'Bcnbow' ? " demanded Mr . Alordaunt . " I am , " assented his brother . "I was in that vessel when she foundered witJi all her crew . I was tho only passenger whoeseapod
by clinging to some wreckage , and was rescued by a foreign ship bound for South America . The Captain offered L o land me at ono of the British ports , but I elected to go with him to his destination . " Sternl y looking at him , Mr . Alordaunt said— " Had yon not better complete your confession and acknowledge a still blacker , and , tome , most incomprehensible crime ? "
" What crime ? Speak out ! 1 know not what you mean , " stammeved Stephen , starting up . "Tho murder of poor Alice ' s child , " was the stern rejoinder . " In a dream the hideous tragedy was revealed to me , and the poor innocent ' s bones were discovered by me secreted in the vaults boneath this house . "
A grim smile passed over the face of ( he wretched man as he sank back . " For the future , put not your faith in dreams my most sapient brother , " said he , sarcastically . "The remains you found were not his . Alice had but one child , and there he stands . " " Is Richard Lee your son ? " cried the astounded listener .
" He is , and a wealthy prize you will find him . He is heir to the property of one , Jonathan Daley , his mother ' s uncle . For the boy ' s sake , I may as well tell you everything . When Alice and I came to England , 1 invested all the money she had in a gambling concern at