The Human Vampire; Or, The Elixir of Life — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

MOL ats No, s1 THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. ee 3l but her brother wrote a peremptory request, which was in fact command, that her wedding must be postponed. ‘Well, Iam sure!” she said, angrily. ‘What does Sidney mean? Hegoes off on a wild-goose chase for Heaven only knows what, and everything and every one las to stand back for him.” She stamped her foot while tears of vexation filled her large brown eyes. “T think you can trust your brother, Louise,’ Lillian said, gravely, ‘‘he would not ask you to put your wedding off unless he had some good reason.’ “Oh, fiddlesticks! you would find an excuse for Sidney if he committed a murder.” Lallian shivered. ‘Don’t say such horrible things,dear,” she pleaded. She felt nervons and ill. How little this trifling butterfly of fashion knew what serious, what terrible things “occupied her brother's time. She felt tempted to tell her the truth and shock her into some depth of feeling. She looked at the flushed face, so child- hee in its pouting an- noyance and petty vexation. ‘*No, I shall spare her,” she said, her better nature prevailing over the momentary anger. Anxiously Lillian awaited the next tidings. Her heart ached in sympathy with Sidney. ‘How good, how true, and noble he is!” she said. ‘If I had only known that he loved me when first we met, how happy we both would have been all these wasted years!” + * * * * * Sidney and George Tatnall soon conyinced themselves of the fact that a monstrous crime had been committed in the lonely ruin of Spotswood. The bones of the four little negroes were discovered in the cellur, Of course nothing conld be gained by making tle atrocious murders publie. The families of the children never learned the ghastly truth, but Sidney Van Stretten tried by every means in his power to atone to them for the loss of their children. Old Carmel and African Ed are also better off than they ever were before in their lives. The old ruin is deserted, and, as time rolls on, will probably be seized for the payment of accumulated taxes. Needless to say, the owner of the property was never seen nor heard of again. When Sidney Van Stretten turned his back on the South, his investigations were at an end, All that now remained to be done was tho scttling up with Marshall Decker. Mr. Tatnall was a Southerner, and he was at first deter- mined to avenge the family honor, but Sidney persuaded him to leave this task in his hands. “You have a wife and family,” he said, ‘while I am single, and have no ties or responsibilities. My willis made. Lillian will be my heiress. My sister is engaged to 2 wealthy man, who is devoted to her. So my mind is free from eare on her account. 5 “ But it is my place to avenge thei injury done to my sister.’ “My claim is prior to yours., My sister has also been this villain’s victim.” “That is true. the task to you. They parted with this understanding. Sidney lind no difficulty in tracing Marshall Decker. He had cast aside all scruples, nnd was once more plunged in a ca- reer of shameless dissipation. He was in New York, spending money recklessly, and living 2 dissolute life, which disgusted eyery one who had known him as a prudent man of business and respectable member of society. Sidney did not wish to visit him alone, so he requested Rufus King to accompany him to the hotel, where Decker was living in luxury. “Ts Mr. Decker at home?” he asked, as he knocked at the door of Decker’s suite of rooms. “Yes; but I do not know whether he is at liberty or not,” replied the servant who had replaced Gregory. ‘* Inquire, and hand him this card.” Sidney stepped into the reception-room, King. From an inner room came the sounds of gay voices and laughter, mingled with the clinking of glasses and knives and forks. Well, Sidney, I suppose I must relinquish followed by Dr. “Mr. Decker is at breakfast,” the servant said, returning. These sad events had preyed on Mr. Degkey N ag ‘“Indeed! Then we will wait.” conduct for some time had been so singulat: ‘ waited, while the meal proceeded, los-| ment. S, R, ean Ppeene ern e comicPpook ing nothing in mirth on account of the presence of the unin- vited guests. Toasts were drunk and jests spoken which were far from decorous, though, from the sonnd of the voices, it was, evi- dent that women were present. ‘Lhe doctor elevated his eyebrows, and Sidney said, quietly: “T wonder if he knows I lave come for war, and wishes to offer a gratuitous insult.” After a time the conversation flagged, and the breakfast party broke up, with many jests, and halfengagements to meet again. Cigars and cigarettes had been lighted, and some of the guests were somewhat noisy before they left, which they did by another door than the one Sidney and his friend had passed through. Steps were heard approaching, the portiere was thrust aside, and Decker walked into the room. His face was flushed, and his hands were thrust into his pockets. He stared offensively in Sidney’s face, and said: “Well, Mr. Van Stretten, to what fortunate circumstance do I owe this unexpected honor?” “To no fortunate circumstances, Clifford Derwent, or Alger- non Vivian.” Decker scarcely. looked surprised. He laughed rudely. “© So you have been imposed on by that lying blackguard of a servaut of mine who was discharged for his insolence?” “‘T have seen no servant of yours.” “Then wh¥ do you conie here to insult me with your fabrica- tions?” “Because I have visited the two tombs which were supposed to contain your remains.” Decker started. He grew pale and bit his lip. ““T do not know what you are talking abont,” he blustered. “‘T have also assisted Mr. George Tatnall in removing the re- mains of your victims, the murdered children, from the cellar in Spotswood to a grave-yard.” He sat down suddenly, as if his legs had given way under ‘You must be mad!” His eyes stared horribly, The veins in his forehead stood out, and he seemed about to go into a, fit. ‘*T have no warrant for your arrest in my pocket,” said Sid- ney, quietly, “though I ean easily procure one. I shall not make this abominable matter public if you agree to my condi- tions. We can settle it privately.” « Let us hear them." “We shall select a place where we can meet quietly. friend, Doctor King, will accompany me. one you think vou cau depend upon. final. You understand?” “To the death?” Sidney bowed. *-T represent the wounded honor of two families,” he resumed. “My friend, Mr. Tatnall, has placed the matter in my hands, As you are the challenged party the choice of weapons rest with ou.” te Small swords.” “Very well. Now, have you any choice as to the place of meeting?” “None.” “The party who does not leave the ground shall be supposed to have committed suicide?” “T agree.” Doctor King spoke for the first time. ‘A snitable spot can easily be found on the Palisades, and we can be secure from interruption if we chose an early hour. It is light now at half-past five. Will to-morrow morning suit?” ‘* Certainly.” “T know a spot just about six miles above Fort Lee. We will be on the ground, which is in every way suitable, at half-past five to-morrow. You will be there with your friend?” « Rely upon me.’ Sidney and the doctor bowed and withdrew. Two duys later the dead body of Mr. Decker was found on the grass in e lonely part of the banks of the Hudson. The spot was partly hidden from observation by some fir feet, and was sitmated just seven miles above i ue stabbed through the heart by a small sey tained in his right hand. The deceased gentleman had been oo af? o Seren misfortunes. ; a Ja ~ His beantiful twin daughters had been ui +4 d sluigatyArG had become insane on account of the loss ‘ DB, cn Ss U My You can bring any Our meeting must be