The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-05-30

wrenched from the dying man, III ms IaSl
closing struggle with the terrible foe that
held him in his iron grasp, were alone
heard in the apartment; and then hurrylng
feet sounded along the passage, and Lieu
tenant Trayers greatly excited, rushed In.
"Can this terrible intelligence be true!'
he breathlessly exclaimed, "that you are
dying? Yes; few more pulsations,
my young friend, and that which men
call life will be past, and | shall be moth
ing!''
"May not something be still attempted?
Where is the surgeon?'
..Gone, by my orders. You, Francis
Travers, can alone aid me III this exlrem
ity."
81! What can you mean?''
'sNot, indeed, to save my life-that Is
past hoping for; but to rescue an ancient
name, which | have already tarnished,
from ndelible disgrace and infamy. You
love Mary Wharton2''
LAS my own soul!'' replied Travers,
flushing scarlet.
81 have long known it. You are aware
that the estates 60 to my nephew, and that
she is portionless!"
"Perfectly; but that is circumstance
GLOW much per annum of clear avail
able income do you possess?" interrupted
Sir Richard quickly.
So strange question at such a moment
startled Travers; but, after moments
pause. he replied, 'Includng my profess
sional income, about a thousand year."
Enough! Hand me a glass of water.
Now, come nearer, Travers, for my eyes
grow dim, and my speech, beneath the cho-
king grasp of this fell death is faint and diI-
ficult. Y ou know that Lady Wharton and
myself, though occasionally residing under
one roof, have been for many years thor
oughly estrauged from each other. For
this | know the world blames me, and |
admit, quite justly. Well, the world, wise
and prayiug as it is. yet neither knows or
guesses a thousandth part OF the wrong |
have done my wife and childI'
'ssSir Richard!'
.'When married Ellen Hartford, her
fortune secured TO her by settlement, was
invested in the funds in her maiden name;
the annual interest amounted to about eight
hundred pounds
"Perhaps not. This revenue Lady
Wharton has constantly drawn, half yearly
through Chla's banking house. 1t was
uCHOlCd OS IICl ~ vi Jul
establishment. A few months since, /
bend lower, that |. may hiss the accursed
confession in your earl |, pressed by
enormous gaming debts, and infatuated by
a belief that | might, had | the means of
play ing for large stakes, retrieve my losses
forged-do you hear!-forged my wifes
name to a warrant of attorney, drew out
the entire capital, played with and lost all!
And now-now." cried the miserable man
with spasmodic violence, 'syou know all
know that by my act my wife, my child
are paupers, -homeless-friend-
less and but for you without resource or
hope!"
"Merciful powers! can this be true!'
GAS death!'' rejoined the baronet, his
husky accents again sinking to feeble
whisper. ''And you on whom counted,
hesitate, see, 10 save my name from in
fanny, even though the reward be Mary
Wharton
s'Say not SOL" passionately exclaimed
Travers. "But how-by what means can
| conceal-cau p
Easily. Continue to pay the dividend
as usual through Child's till you are
where are you?-till you are married.
Lady Wharton will live,,with you and Ma
rv, -tiIl-Yo on understand"
81 think do stammered Travers.-
"But-"
"That's well!' A silence of several
minutes succeeded, followed by incoherent
murmurs, indicating that the senses of the
dying man were wandering. ssCoId. cold
and dark! Looed! and upon three
trumps. Light the candles: we cannot
see the cards! All! what shapes are these?
Ellen, Mary! so stern, too, now that 'Tra-
vers has promised-has promised-has
promised" The death rattle choked
his Inference, and in few minutes Sir
Richard Wharton had ceased to live
About three weeks after the funeral of the
dec eased baronet, Lieut.. Travers received
a letter on service, from the Admiralty, an
nouncing his appointment TO a crack frig-
ate fitting for sea at Portsmouth, and di-
recting him TO report himself on board I'M
mediateiy. This summons rendered fur
ther delay or hesitation impossible. He
conld not leave Marlands without coming
to frank explanation with Lady and
Miss Wharton, and he resolved it should
take place that very morning. Nota syl-
liable had yet passed his lips relative to the
extraordinary disclosures made by Sir
Richard Wharton in his last moments, or
10 the wishes he had expressed regarding