The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 264: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 261 ‘Where shall we take you—and what shall we do? You had better go to the hospital.’ ‘*'You had better seek the aid of a chemist—there is one over the way,” said Henry Morton. ‘“‘I think we had better carry her over there,” said Captain Morton, ‘‘ for we can have the use of the surgery, I dare say, to sit and listen to her confession. ‘*'Yes, yes,” muttered the almost unconscious object of their attention; ‘‘ put me anywhere, but be quick, und hear what I have tosay. Let me say all, and then 1 can die. But now my head is like the hell you speak of—the whirl of phantoms that crowd my brain will drive me mad.” No more was said, but the whole party immediately lifted her up as gently as they could, and walked with her to the doctor’s shop, on the other side of the way, into which they introduced themselves and the patient. ‘She is dying,” said Captain Morton; “ but can you not give her some little stimulant? She has something on her mind, which she wishes to confess; and it may be of importance to some one.” The chemist poured out some liquids, which he gave her; after which her eye seemed to look brighter, and her pulsation quickened. ‘*T feel already better,” she said; “I feel stronger. Oh! that my step-son were here, that I might do him justice!” . of ra) 39 “My step-son; he whom I have so much injured—he who is now suffering undeserved poverty through my machinations —through my frauds—and all to serve one who has turned out ungrateful for all the sacrifices that I have made. He scorned my advice, and even raised his hand against me. He is worth- less and abandoned; but could I expect other treatment? I ought not to have done so.” ‘““Who was your step-son ?” ‘‘He was——” replied the old woman, in an audible tone, that was heard by all present; and the eyes of all were turned upon Jem, whose eyes were fixed upon the form of the old woman in speechless amazement, and at length he said,— ‘*Tt cannot be!—impossiblel—you are not, you cannot be her whom I have looked upon as my bitterest enemy—the woman that my father took as a second wife?” ‘‘ What do I hear?” exclaimed the woman, starting up with an almost frightful energy; ‘‘ you the son of ——” ‘‘The same,” said Jem; ‘‘but have you anything to say that concerns me? If so, say it at once, and let me know if Heaven has decreed that justice shall be done.” The old woman paused, and muttered unintelligibly to herself for. some moments, and then, fixing her eyes upon Jem, she said ,-- “And isit he? Inever saw the least trace—I never looked for it, and now I can see the likeness strong enough and plain enough. I must have been b!ind—idiotically blind; but no mat- ter—it shall be done—he shall know all.” a comicbooks. com