Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-11-30
CHAPTER III.
THE Lone HniLSe IN Ghennsi6e.

| The Lone House n, Cheapside.
Mordaunt continued his rapid pace until he turn
ed into Cheapside; then, stopping before dingy,
dilapdated old house, he knocked twice at the
door. After waiting few-moments, it was OPEN
ed to him and he entered. He followed the per-
son who had admitted him, into low-studded,
dismal-looking apartment.
The furniture of this room was very scanty,
consisting of rough pine table, three rickety
chairs, and low bedstead in the corner. Nor
daunt threw himself heavily into one of the chairs
and removed the hat from his brows. His com
panion, Misunderstanding old man, placing the
lamp which he held in his hand, upon the table,
also seated himself By its beams, you can now
distinguish the features of Mordaunt.
| His age could not have been much over forty
years, to Judge by his black hair, untinged by
particle of gray, which he wore in flowing ringlets
upon his shoulders, according to the fashion of the
period. His face was eminently handsome, though
his eyes were deeply set in his head, and bore a
malignant expression; yet it was plain, from
casual glance, that Mordaunt, when it pleased his
will, could play the high-bred gentleman with
courtly ease .a..aisa5t ..s.--r..t A.-....sssf
s.You are late, tonight, Mordaunt, said his COM
panon, in a Gro aking, disagree cable tone of voice
sYes, Jacob; was waylayed by thieves, as I
passed through the lane, and should have lost my
life but for the timely assistance of young gen
teman who heard my cries, and came to the res
! cue
''You should be more cautious. Who was your
preserver-did you know him!"
''Aye, Jacob, too well; and though he saved my
life, had rather the fiend himself had crossed my
path than Richard Wrght!' 's: @ .@f@7r
"Richard Wright, your wife's page-the boy
whom we thought dead! has he returned!'' ,'sJ
81 have spoken to him to-night.' 1a.5 -. "
-sDid he know you!'' .-s.ar.azzsg@f sef.,s
l"Did he; despite my dsguise.' ss ...-
Scan he have discovered that your wife lives9''
"Impossible! told him she was dead, and he
seemed to credit me-. .,. -1 --.
"Hs coming is unlucky. He loved his lady
much, and will institute inquiries concerning her.
1 Remember, also, he has claim upon the estate.
Should your wife die without signing the rever-
son the property will pass to him; that is, unless
the"
"Silence She is dead. Where is Agnes my
daugat,r?'' $50
Morddunt placed strange emphasis upon the
last two words, and a sinister smile upon Jacobs
face seemed to reply to it, though he answered in
a commonplace tone: -
"In her chamber, asleep" -
i at"Has she ever seem sz7-E "..s
HMordaunt paused and pointed upward. s1>
i "Once, by accident, but evaded her questions
and satisfied her curiosity sa.s ..as i r -z
t'Then she has no suspicions?' q. .ae.
ssNone.'' r... ., ..--E ID. :..asgs.s ...
cit is well. Now then, give me my lantern;
must make one effort more for the paper.'
| Jacob gave Mordaunt dark lantern and key
eff she refuses!'' he said r. s..-r -......
,ssThen forgery must answer my purpose"
!. sAnd she?'' ~. ---.. 81 -z.- III ~ T.
!, ."Shall die!" whispered Mordaunt, in deep
determined tone. ,.. -..--. 3. .- s.,.-s -. s.-
/ He left the apartment, and commenced ascend
: ing rough, irregular flight of stairs.
In the garret of the house in which Mordaun
and Jacob were discussing her fate, upon her pal
let of straw, reclined their unhappy victim. A
Y greasy lamp dimly Illuminated her dismal abode
She was robed in dress of dark texture He
face was deathly pale; her eyes sunken and lus
treless. Her hair, of light brown color, foatet
n in one dishevelled mass upon her neck and shoul
q ders; yet notwithstanding the ravages that tim
and cruelty had made, traces of beauty that wa
s once pre- eminent, were still perceptible.
The unhappy woman did not slumber; tha
4 precious boon to the afflicted seemed to be denie
q her. She rose from her rude couch and sank upo
r. her knees. s@ -5-.
q "Father of merciesn' she exclaimed, claspin
v her hands in an attitude of prayer. "Why is tn
h boon have so long and ardently sought for refu
u sed me2 In vain supplicate. have prayed 70
IS death as sure relief for all my sufferings, an
le yet it comes not. Why am I thus set apart fe
" misery! Why does he who should have loved an
cherished me, thus persecute me! He shall ne
E. attain his wishes. No, the gold for which he thu
tortures me, never shall be his. He has staine
it his hands already with the blood of my darlin
at Adela and he will not shrink from another crim
or He will kill me, and then shall be at rest!'
s. She sprang to her feet as distant sound fe
70 upon her ears, and listened intently. ,.
I'd sFootsteps upon the stairs" she murmured; &c
10 is Mordaunt -he; comes. Heaven help al
~ strengthen me in the hour of trial!' Wa
,e. A key grated in the lock-the door opened, ar
Mordaunt entered. He advanced to small tabl
n upon which the lamp was placed, took from it
s sheet of paper, (near which was pen and in