Ellen Walton / Or, The Villain and His Victims

arkness, preparing for new outbursts, bearing death along their path, and leaving devastation, blight and ruin in their wake. This was much the case with Louis Durant, after the failure of his at

o doing too many eyes would be upon him; and he was too cowardly

th a flourish and eulogium. Things went on smoothly enough while Durant was learning the language, customs, manners and habits of his new allies. He had as much as he could do to convince them of his bravery and undaunted courage, which qualities, believing he was deficient in them, they as often as possible put to the test. In many of these adventures he barely came off with credit whole, a thing he found absol

t in execution his long intended project; for, be it known, his desire for vengeance had neither slumbered nor died during the two years, but was the grand moving impulse to every important act. These years, so full of restrained wrath

hreats. Pity she should ever be awakened

distance into the forest, which adjoined their dwelling. Becoming interested in her own musings, she sat down on the trunk of a fallen tree, to give free vent an

lieve I have the h

before her, his eye bent upon hers with a look

r heart, she hardly knew why; for certainly the individual before her was a stranger, or one with whom she had had so slight an acquaintance, as to remember nothing concerning him. While her mind was running over all t

ide, your looks made a lasting impression on my mind, an impression that time can never efface or oblite

ade a movement as if to retrace her st

, for I have that to tell thee which is of the utmos

had the effect rather to increase than diminish the tremors

great and imminent danger is hanging, i

still more forcibly upon her heart, which labored, for a moment, under the load, and then beat s

e an evil, and it is in his heart to keep the oath. I see by

d recollection of the now thoroughly alarmed Ellen. With the utmost exertion of her s

Ever since his threat, he has been laying deep schemes to ruin thee, and once very nearly succeeded. For t

e intensely excited, and, at the close, had reached the limit of control. For a moment she was overcome, and leaned against a tree f

hese things of

know more than the facts in the cas

as a kind friend to

and

oked with suspicion on a friend. The circumstances of

me, and for thy thought I have no need to par

her, which is but a short way off, and

swer my purpose quite as well as your father's hous

are not a strang

l that I should familiarize myself with your place of abode, that, if need be, I mi

akened Ellen's apprehensions,

aid to ensnare you. Every step you take is one of danger, and every effort you make to flee from that danger, may but drive you nearer to destruction. Such is the nature of your enemy's operations, that while they are secret, th

u a friend, come to give me timely warning to guard against threatened danger, when, all at once, y

flashed across Ellen's mind that this man was some way connected with Durant, perhaps employed by him, and she began to conclude it might be a

ntertained against you, and that your enemy was ceaselessly at work to perfect his plans; but just as I was preparing to come to inform you of this state o

ed a hardly healed, terrible gash. T

ate-a fate whose inexorable decree I almost rebeled against bowing to. But I

Ellen's confidence in the stranger, and, with it,

is still some hope; there is a possibility

e know how

r to d

y f

a desperate

adful as falling into

u may be unable to cho

w them, and

pardon me for being compelled to give you only the choice between what may prove on

rly startled Ellen, and, in the moment of b

tell you all the joy or agony love has awakened in my bosom; I can only say, that you have it now in your power to render me supremely happy, or abjectly miserable. If you will cast yourself on my love, I will save you from your plotting foe, and devote my life to your service, and to make you happy. If I had any

you, but

is is your unalterable decision, from

tertain for me, please accept my sincere thanks; but do not attempt to change

ll, and God

me

was turning away; for a short time he seemed engaged in deep thought, which had the effect of totally changing his f

y, then,

most as

l deliver you from the sad situa

will shield and pro

nce induces your pres

s it does

ou that angels nor d

h to be saved

be at all merry

less apprehensi

and why

ering to your vanity, or very creditable to my pene

me, so you may as w

rd disguises, and stood before the as

e not very sanguine hope of success. I have failed-now for my revenge. Know that all I have said concerning my plans, and the net I have woven around you, is true.

h, sir, in making

bid you beware, and t

able expectation for t

t close, for it will be short

th the tissue of falsehood, are of

ume on my forbearanc

nothing but yo

see me soon again! Your doom is sealed! 'Cowardice!' This

leave the place, but

s a wife and not a despised outcast-the scorn of society. You might once have been my honorable bride; yes

n naming such a thing? Never dare again, to couple my name wi

cheer you for a few fleeting hours. Here I stand and swear it-witness my oath, ye trees! witness it, e

to the spot where she stood, to observe the effect of his words, behold, Ellen was not there. His t

s really alarmed, and greatly dreaded the future. She knew that an evil-minded man, however contemptible, was capable of