Soon after breakfast Miss Bramlett announced her determination to see
Wallingford, and no amount of remonstrance which Doctor Plaxico and
Demar could bring to bear against the step could prevent it.
“Lottie, help me down on my knees, and I will pray for strength and
courage to sustain me under this trying ordeal.”
Lottie gladly rendered the assistance requested, and both girls knelt
and prayed in silence for a long time; and when they rose up, an
expression of calmness was visible on the pale, beautiful face of Miss
Bramlett.
“Lottie dear, you can trust me now, and I fear you will think me
superstitious when I tell you that our prayers have been answered; he
will not die, and we shall all be happy again. You may let me see him
now, without any fears as to my actions; if you will let me lean on your
shoulder, I can walk very well.”
The door of Wallingford’s room was thrown open, and a chair placed near
his bed. As Miss Bramlett was led to it the pallor of her cheeks
increased, but no other signs of emotion were to be seen. The wounded
man was muttering continually in a rambling way, and every now and then
thrusting his arms out as if striking at an imaginary enemy; and it was
plain to be seen that his mind was still on the combat he had had with
Bowles.
“He is exhausting his strength very rapidly,” said Plaxico, “and I have
been as yet unable to quiet him; I believe if I could keep him still
that the internal hemorrhage would cease.”
Just at that moment Harry made a sudden spring, and would have leaped
out of the bed, but Miss Bramlett caught and gently laid him down and
began to rub his brow with her hand, when he instantly became quiet, and
in three minutes was sound asleep.
“Did you see that, Demar?” said Plaxico, in a low whisper.
“See what?”
“How quick he became quiet when she put her hand on his brow?”
“Yes; I suppose it is mesmerism, magnetism, or something of the sort.”
“If we were to live a thousand years, we might learn something new every
day; this is a most wonderful occurrence! See, he is sleeping soundly;
the respiration is less labored, and his pulse much better. Now, I
imagine this strange phenomenon would furnish material for an article in
the _Lancet_, and I think I shall undertake to write it.”
The very instant Miss Bramlett removed her hand from the wounded man’s
brow, he awoke and began to move restlessly from side to side; but she
immediately replaced it and he was again quiet.
“Well!” observed Demar, “I must say that this is the strangest
occurrence that I ever saw. I believe their souls are communing
intelligently with each other, and that, notwithstanding Wallingford’s
reason is dethroned, he is in some way made to know that Miss Bramlett
is near him.”
“I have often read about two souls melting into one,” replied Plaxico,
“but this is the first occular demonstration of the process that has
ever been witnessed by me. There is more mystery in the anatomy of the
human body than is generally believed to exist, anyway.”
“Yes,” rejoined Demar; “especially does that remark apply to the human
heart. I speak from experience, to some extent, and I dare say that the
hearts of Miss Bramlett and Wallingford are at this very moment
conversing intelligently with each other. A sort of telegraph which love
has erected is now conducting sweet messages from one heart to the
other.”
Wallingford continued to slumber undisturbed for four hours, except when
Miss Bramlett would remove her hand from his brow, and then he would
begin to show signs of restlessness, which never failed to disappear as
soon as she would replace it. The burning fever that had been raging
began to subside, and the hemorrhage ceased, curiously, while all the
symptoms took a favorable turn.
“Demar,” whispered Plaxico, after he had held his finger on the
patient’s pulse for a long while; “I think Miss Bramlett’s treatment has
saved our friend’s life; the fact is, she has performed a most wonderful
miracle.”
It was late in the evening when Wallingford opened his eyes and began to
stare in a bewildered way at the beautiful face that hovered near him,
while evidences of restored reason unmistakably appeared in his
movements. For two or three minutes he gazed earnestly at Miss Bramlett,
then placing his hand on her head, he gently stroked her hair, and then
ran his hand over her face, and then took hold of her arm.
“Yes,” he whispered; “it is her, and it was all a dream; and such a
horrible one, too; I thought she was dead, and I dreamed that Bowles had
killed her, and then drowned me in the river. Why do you not speak to
me, Viola? Am I mistaken in thinking I see you?”
As he uttered the last words, he placed his arm round her neck and drew
her head down until her cheek touched against his.
“Come away, Demar,” said Plaxico, as he plucked him by the sleeve; “I
shall shout with joy if I remain here another moment. That scene is
enough to make the angels weep with delight.”
It was on the morning of the fourth day after Wallingford received his
wounds, that he made his appearance in the saloon supported by Miss
Bramlett and Lottie, each one with a shoulder under his arm, fairly
lifting him along by main strength.
Harry Wallingford was lazily reclining in a large cushioned armchair on
the hurricane-deck, listening to Lottie, who was reading Mazeppa to him,
while Miss Bramlett sat near him, gazing vacantly at the rolling waves
that dashed up behind the boat. A long pause ensued when Lottie laid the
book down and began to fondle her brother’s dark-brown hair.
“Viola,” said Harry, “I want you to tell me what induced you to give
your friends in New York the dodge, leaving them to conclude that you
had committed suicide; in fact, I want you to tell me all about
everything connected with your history from the time we parted, until
the present moment.”
“There is but very little to tell, I assure you, and as I have nothing
better to do, and being anxious to amuse you, I suppose I must undertake
the task; but before I begin, you must allow me to express my thanks for
the beautiful monument you caused to be erected over my grave in New
York. Your generosity in that instance, indeed deserves my profound
gratitude, and it has convinced me that you did really care something
for me.
“But let me leave that subject for future discussion while I proceed
with my little history. When I was, by the dishonesty of the trustees
who had control of my money, reduced to a pauper, I felt that it was my
duty to seek some means of earning an honest living. That there were
many friends and relatives of mine ready and anxious to offer me a home,
I very well knew, but I could not for a moment bear the idea of being
dependent on relatives for support. Above all things I abhor anything
like gilded bondage or idle dependence; consequently, I resolved to seek
employment. I knew very well that this step would be bitterly opposed by
my aristocratic relations, especially if I should dare to seek
employment in New York; therefore, I concluded to give them the slip and
hunt a distant home. Disguising myself completely, I went to Cincinnati
and had the good fortune to secure a position as governess in the family
of Mr. Gaterine, the kind-hearted old gentleman who is accompanying me
on this trip.
“One evening I was passing along one of the principal streets of
Cincinnati, when I was overwhelmed with astonishment to meet Benjamin
Bowles. He was disguised, but notwithstanding that I recognized him, and
I knew in an instant, from his manner, that he was aware of the fact
that I had penetrated his deception. I hurried to the Chief of Police
and imparted the information, hoping to have him arrested; but he must
have immediately fled, as the officers could not find him. I hired a
detective to look for him, but after working a month nothing was
accomplished. But when I tell you to whom I am indebted for the
discovery of Bowles’ hiding-place I know you will be greatly astonished.
Do you see that little, pale-faced, sickly-looking boy yonder, leaning
over the bannisters?”
“Yes.”
“Very well, it is to that little hero that I owe the great obligation.
His name is Robert Spratt, son of a widow woman residing in Memphis; you
doubtless remember him, though he has changed very much in his personal
appearance since he left Memphis. They used to call him haunch-back Bob,
for his spine was diseased, causing an ugly hump to appear between his
shoulders, and seriously affecting his general health, and as I think,
greatly retarded his growth. You will notice that he is quite a child in
stature, but I can tell you he has the heart, brain and soul of a man.
He is a real gallant hero, and you could not find another such a good
detective anywhere. He is much older, though, than his little body would
indicate.
“I prevailed on him to let me send him to an infirmary at Cincinnati,
where he was effectually cured, for which I paid one thousand dollars;
and as good luck would have it, I met my little protege on the streets
not more than ten minutes after I had met Bowles. I was delighted to see
that the ugly hump had disappeared and that my little friend was
effectually cured. I hurriedly gave him a description of Bowles, and
told him in which direction the murderer had gone, requesting him to
follow and try to find him. I did not see Robert any more, or hear a
word from him for two months, and I concluded that he had returned to
his home in Memphis; but not so, the noble little hero was tracking the
great outlaw.
“I cannot command language to describe the surprise as well as joy I
felt when I received a telegram from my little hero, informing me that
Bowles was on his way to Mexico, and would probably stop a few days at
New Orleans, and advising me to come down there as soon as I could. He
also requested me to inquire for a dispatch that he would send to
Memphis, which would meet me there on my way to New Orleans. He was at
Friar’s Point, Mississippi, where Bowles had stopped to wait for one of
his pals who had agreed to meet him there.
“Mr. Gaterine kindly consented to go with me to New Orleans, and when I
arrived at Memphis I found the promised telegram, which informed me that
Bowles was still at Friar’s Point. The ‘White Rose’ being the first boat
that would start for New Orleans, we concluded to take passage on her,
but learning that Lottie and Edward had been married on the day before I
reached Memphis, and that they were going on a bridal tour to the
Crescent City, I at once procured a black domino and mask to wear in
order to keep them from knowing me. I am sure that I could not have
sufficiently disguised my voice to have enabled me to deceive Lottie,
had it not been for a severe cold, which, although quite painful, I was
glad to endure as long as it would aid me in the accomplishment of my
purpose. It was my intention to leave the boat at Friar’s Point, but
soon after the ‘White Rose’ landed I was delighted to see my little
detective come aboard. He informed me that Bowles had just come aboard,
and was going to New Orleans on the ‘White Rose.’ I was overjoyed at
this information. You doubtless remember that we landed at Friar’s Point
in the night; if I remember correctly, it was about three o’clock in the
morning, and you must know how bitter was my disappointment next
morning, when, after a diligent search, we failed to find Bowles. I soon
ascertained from inquiries made, that the ‘White Rose’ had not landed
since we left Friar’s Point, which led me to believe that our man was
concealed somewhere on the boat. My little detective was of the same
opinion, and I knew that if it was as we suspected, that he would soon
discover where the murderer was hidden. I do not know what it was that
caused Robert to suspect Napoleon, but nevertheless I soon learned from
him that he did suspect him of being the man we were after. It was some
time before he succeeded in convincing himself that his suspicions were
well founded. By some means which I did not care to know, he succeeded
in effecting an entrance to the state-room occupied by Napoleon, when,
sure enough, he discovered that it was Bowles. All the stolen money and
other property was found hidden in an old boot under the bed, and when I
found out that it was stolen property, I instructed my little friend to
bring it to me, which he did.”
“Yes,” exclaimed Wallingford, “and I promise you now, Viola, that your
brave little friend shall never know what it is to want for anything as
long as he lives.”
“Thank you, Harry, a thousand times I thank you,” replied Miss Bramlett,
as fresh tears began to trickle down her cheeks, “but you must let me
finish my story. Well, my little friend ascertained that Bowles had paid
fifty dollars to the gentleman who originally personated the Emperor
Napoleon, for his uniform and mask, and you must not blame that
gentleman for selling his costume to Bowles, because he did not know he
was aiding a cruel murderer to escape, but he was tired of the nonsense,
as he was pleased to call it, and finding a chance to get his money
back, he at once closed the trade, believing that the purchaser merely
wished to enjoy a little innocent sport by deceiving the ladies. As soon
as I ascertained the fact that the money, and other valuable things had
been stolen, I resolved to restore them to their owners, but before I
could carry out my intentions in that respect, Captain Quitman
inaugurated his plans to make a search, the result of which you already
know.”
“Yes,” said Harry, “that is all very well explained, but how did the
dead woman happen to have my ring?”
“I think I can explain that also,” replied Miss Bramlett. “Soon after I
arrived in New York, I engaged a young Irish woman to serve me as
waiting maid, and soon after she entered my service, I began to miss
little articles, which I at first supposed were accidentally lost or
mislaid, but it was not long before I became convinced that they were
stolen. One of my dresses, a drab silk, mysteriously disappeared, then
my ring, and various other valuable articles were missing, and when I
became convinced that my maid was a thief I discharged her. It is clear
to my mind that the unfortunate woman was wearing my dress and ring when
she was drowned.”
“Viola!” said Wallingford in a voice choking with deep emotion, “did you
recognize me in my Navarre costume?”
“Yes, indeed I did.”
“How could you remain near me so long without speaking to me? Do you not
know that I would have swum through lakes of fire to have found you?”
Viola’s voice now for the first time refused to obey her will, and she
was unable to make any reply. Her eyes were bent on the ground, while
the violent throbbings of her heart could be distinctly heard by Lottie,
who sat near her.
“Viola,” continued Wallingford, “will you not try to love me a little?”
“No!” she replied in a trembling tone which seemed to be uttered with an
effort.
“Why?”
“Because I do not think it would be good for me to love any one more
than I have loved you for the last ten years.”
“Now stop that, Harry,” exclaimed Demar, as he approached the group.
“You may embrace Miss Bramlett if you wish, but to have two women in
your arms at once is a little too much. I think you are very selfish;
you may embrace Miss Bramlett as often as she will allow it, but you
must not be quite so familiar with my wife.”
“Leave me alone with Viola immediately, I beseech you, Ed,” Wallingford
whispered as he placed his mouth close to his ear. “Pray, go quick and
take Lottie with you. I think Viola is now in the notion to pardon the
past errors, and I hope and believe she will promise to marry me.”
“Come, Lottie!” said Demar, endeavoring to assume an indifferent tone,
“let us take a little stroll together, as I have a little secret to tell
you. I suppose Miss Bramlett can take care of your brother while we are
away.”
As soon as Demar and his wife were gone, an embarrassing pause ensued
while Harry and Miss Bramlett silently inspected the floor. Each one
could distinctly hear the violent throbbings of the other’s heart.
“Viola!” Harry said, after a full five minutes had been spent in
silence, “dare I ask you to forgive the great wrong that I have done to
you?”
No answer. “I know that I do not deserve, nor have I the right to
expect your pardon, yet I am very unhappy in thinking that you must
entertain a very unfavorable opinion of the contemptible part I played
in that unfortunate affair at Memphis.”
“Harry, how could you ask me to forgive you, when you must know that my
heart is overflowing with gratitude to you for the valuable assistance
you rendered in that affair? You must indeed have a poor opinion of me,
if you could for a moment suppose that I could ever forget your noble,
generous exertions in my behalf. If I were to live a hundred years I
would remember you and your sweet sister with sentiments of the deepest
gratitude. It is I who should seek forgiveness, and I do here, now, most
sincerely declare that no act that I have ever committed has caused me
half the pain, shame, and mortification that my hateful temper caused me
to feel by inducing me to insult you that day in jail. If you can forget
and forgive me for that despicable conduct, you are indeed the most
generous, noble-hearted man living.”
“Viola, you and I have had many trials and much trouble, and suffered
much sorrow since we first met, and we have no doubt learned some
valuable lessons, which I have reason to believe will prove a blessing
in the end. The hand of a kind Providence seems to have guided our
destinies. He first used me as His instrument in saving your life many
years ago, and then enabled you to save mine, the other day. Therefore
let us agree to let by-gones be forgotten, while we endeavor to profit
by the sad lessons taught us by experience.”
“I say amen to that with all my heart.”
“Now, darling, knowing as you do the numerous faults and imperfections
that unfortunately belong to my nature, are you willing to trust your
happiness to me? Will you confirm my hopes of happiness by promising to
be mine?”
“Are you willing to marry a pauper?”
“Don’t mention the money question, I implore you.”
“Yes, but I must mention it, because I owe at least ten thousand
dollars, and have no money to pay with.”
“I wish it was five times ten thousand, then I would have the more
pleasure in paying it.”
“Are you willing to take such a pauper, with all her faults and debts
together?”
“I am willing to take the best, the noblest, the prettiest, and the most
charming girl in America, if she is not afraid to trust her fate to my
humble self.”
“Harry, there is my hand, and you have been the sole owner of my heart
ever since we rolled down the embankment together, when you broke your
leg to save my life. One promise I shall require you to make, and then I
am yours forever. When you were so badly wounded a few days ago, I most
solemnly promised God that if He would spare your dear life, that I
would love and serve Him all the days of my life, and that I would
endeavor to induce you to do the same. Now I promise to be your wife, if
you will promise to make good the vow I made to God.”
“I do most willingly make the promise, and may the great Creator help me
to fulfill it.”
“Did you not hear the gong sounding the summons to supper?” shouted
Lottie, as she surprised her brother in the act of embracing Miss
Bramlett. “Come along, and let us go down to supper; everybody is
anxious to have the table cleared away so the dance can begin.”