Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-08-03
The Stories of
Famous Novels
By Albert Payson Terhune
ERNEST MALTRAVERS
BY Butler Lytton


ERNEST MALTRAVERs
BY Butler Lytton
Copyright, 1913, by The Press Publish
ing Co.
Ernest Maltravers, rich mans son,
stopped for the night at lowly hut
on the moors. The hove] had but two
occupants, Richard Darvil and his
pretty daughter, Alice. Rarvil snarl-
ingly bade Ernest begone. But, finding
the youth carried a large sum of
money and a costly watch, the man
ended by begging him to spend the
night there.
Alice found a moment to whisper
to Ernest that her father was thief
and a murderer, and to warn the guest
to 20 away at once Ernest fed, bare
ly in time, telling Alice tC join him
next day at distant inn. She obeyed,
for her father, furious at her share In
Ernest's escape, had cast her off.
Ernest was not especially interested
in Alice. He merely wished to be of
use to her because she had saved his
life He found her clever, good,
charming, but absolutely and utterly
ignorant. She could not read or write.
She had never heard of God. She was
as untaught as the child of three.
To avert scandal Ernest introduced
Alice in the neighborhood as his wife,
Mrs Butler" rented a cottage for
l0r in Of uyiC
old village woman. He had her edu.
Gated by the best local teachers and,
being himself fine musician, taught
her to sing and play.
She learned swiftly. From an illit-
crate country girl she blOssomed forth
into an accomplished and beautiful
woman. Ernest, in spite of himself,
found he was reciprocating the deep
love she had always felt for him.
Just then he was called away by the
death of his father. When he returned
three weeks later to marry Alice, he
found the cottage looted by robbers,
and deserted. There was no trace of
the girl. Nor could all his inquiries
and offers Of money secure for him
single clue as to her whereabouts. Half
crazy with grief Ernest went to Lon
don; there to take up a new life and
try to forget.
Darvil had robbed the cottage and
had carried Alice away to Ireland.
When at last she was able to escape
and to make her way back to the vii
.L@
Ernest Maltravers had long since gone
away. Nor (since she knew him only
as "Butler'') could she trace him.
After nearly starving she managed
to pick up living as music teacher.
Then she met an elderly banker named
Templeton who, knowing her whole
story, asked her to be his wife. She
refused. For there was but one love
in all her life and she had never lost
hope of meeting Ernest again.
Meantime Ernest Maltravers was
rising fast in the world of literature
and politics. Lumley Ferrers, black
guardly fortune hunter, who had
strong influence over him was gradual
ly making him callous man of the
world. He had half forgotten Alice.
Yet, in the next few years each of the
former lovers saw the other-once.
Alice, passing a country inn, caught
a glimpse of Ernest. He was talking
to another woman, and with seeming
ardor that gave the heartbroken on
locker false idea of the situation. Be-
ISI 20
someone else Alice consented to marry
Mr.. Templeton.
In a London church one Sunday En-
est saw Alice and Templeton sitting
side by side. After service he hurried
toward them. But the crowd was so
thick he lost sight Of them.
And so life dragged on for years.
Ernest Maltravers was now a famous
man. He had more than one love |
affair since he lost Alice Yet none
that touched his innermost heart.
Ernest was a middle aged man and
was dead before the long
parting was at an end. Then Ferrers,
who had grown to hate Ernest, tried to
harm him by digging up his past. And
In so doing he unearthed the affair
with Alice; whom Ferrers easily idea.
tilted as Mrs. Templeton
But the injury he sought to wreak
upon his foe turned into blessing.
Ernest, on learning where Alice was
living, FASTENED to her He won her
,orgiveness-her love bad always been
lis