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Wallace D. Wattles Ultimate Collection — Chapter-62: Hellfire Harrison Chapter Six
- Source: /library/Wallace D. Wattles Ultimate Collection/source-file.pdf
- PDF pages: 240–245
- Pages without text: 245
- Note: Work: Hellfire Harrison, section 6 of 8.
Chapter Six Table of Contents SJLADDEN himself opened the door a very little; but a heavy fist was dashed against it, sending it flying wide, and Dicky Dirk came lurching in. The cripple's hands and face were stained with blood, and his clothing was soaked with it; his manner showed excitement, and his look was wild and fierce. The farmer, knowing well the strength of those long and hairy arms, kept out of his way, staring in blank amazement. " Where's Mistress Mary?” demanded Dicky. “What's that to you?” growled Sladden. “Get out, you villain; I want to lock my door again.” “Will zee Mistress Mary,” said Dicky. “You can't see her, you bloody ruffian! What pot-house brawl have you been into? Get out. Mistress Mary has been in her bed these two hours.” “Call her.” “Now, curse your impudence! Get out, or I'll call help to throw you out. What do you want with her?” “I'll call her zelf,” said Dicky, starting toward the stairway. He knew the house well, having been often employed there. Sladden sprang before him with an oath, but the crippie put his hand on his knife and came on, and the Squire stepped aside. Dicky went up the stairs, and knocked at Mary's door, and it was quickly opened by the girl herself. She had been sitting at the window, looking at the moon and dreaming of her lover, and was fully dressed. She cried out, when she saw her bloody visitor.
“Dicky,” she said sharply, “is it Richard?” “Ay,” said Dicky. “T’ hog met un on t’ high rowd, an’ t’ four fought un, an 7 run swourd through un.” She leaned against the wall, with her face as white as snow. “Is he dead?” she whispered, trembling. “I carried un on back to Farnham Court,” Dicky replied, “an’ t’ leech says a'll live, if un has good nursin’.” The color came back to her face with a rush. “Why, that he shall have, Dicky!” said she. “Wait you for me,” and she began throwing some of her apparel into a portmanteau. When it was filled she turned again to the cripple, who stood waiting at the door. “Take me to Farnham Court,” said she, and they went down the stair together. Sladden, with two of the farm-hands whom he had called, was waiting in the hall below. “What does this mean?” he asked, astonished. “Where are you going?” “I am going to Richard Harrison,” she said, “who was attacked upon the road to- night by that cowardly murderer Andrew Hogg and his crew, no doubt with your full knowledge and connivance.” “You shameless hussy! Will you go to him unwed?” Her cheek grew hot, and her eye flashed hotter still. “Dicky,” said she, “if yonder man lifts hand to stop me, kill him!” “I wull! “growled Dicky, drawing his great knife and lurching forward; and Sladden and his bumpkins backed against the wall and let them pass. It was midnight when they reached Farnham Court, where Lady Alicia greeted Mary with joyful astonishment, and yet with an anxious face. “How is Richard?” were the girl's first words. “He is conscious, Mary; full of hope and courage, but very weak from the great loss of blood.” “But will he live?”
“With proper nursing; so the surgeon says.” “I have come to nurse him.” Lady Alicia looked perplexed. “But Mary —” she said, and hesitated. She was thinking of Andrew Hogg, and the fear possessed her that when he heard of Mary's presence at Richard's bedside he would come in a rage to finish his work and carry the girl away. And Mary, seeing her hesitation and remembering Sladden's insult, misunderstood her. She raised her head high, and turned instantly to Dicky Dirk. “Dicky,” said she, “will you do me a kindness?” “Ay,” said Dicky, promptly. “Then go to Farnham parsonage for Vicar Slade, and bring him here; bring him, Dicky, whether he will or no. Tell him he is to marry me to Richard Harrison, and then we shall see who will keep a wife from her husband.” Dicky wavered out into the night, and Mary turned again to Lady Alicia, with a heaving breast and a triumphant look. “Will any one have a better right than I?” she demanded. The lady's eyes shone as she clasped the girl in her arms and kissed her. “It was not of that I was thinking, Mary,” said she. “But of — well, never mind; you have chosen the right way.” She turned suddenly to the sleepy footman, who was sitting in the hall. “Thomas,” she said, “what weapons have we in the house?” “Only a couple of muskets, my Lady.” “Load them, and bring them here, and keep the front door barred. Let no one enter until you are certain that he is a friend.” “You fear Hogg?” said Mary. “I had not thought of him.” “God send Gerald Harrison back before Black Andrew hears of this!” said Lady Alicia. They put their arms around each other, and went up to the door of
Richard's room, and the woman who was watching whispering to them that he had fallen asleep, they sat down outside to wait. After a little time, Dicky Dirk came, leading the shivering clergyman by the arm. Vicar Slade was a typical parson of those times; a fox-hunting, gambling, hard-drinking man of the world, very much more rogue than saint; the type of ecclesiastic who brought religion into disrepute, and drove men like Gerald Harrison to the profession of open atheism. In common with all of Farnham, the Vicar was much afraid of Andrew Hogg, and it was evident that he was badly frightened; his clothing was disheveled, and Dicky grasped him tightly above the elbow. “A was feard o’ t’ hog,” said Dicky, “an’ wouldn't come; zo I browt un.” “This is a most outrageous proceeding, Lady Alicia,” said the clergyman in a quivering voice. “It is not Lady Alicia's doing, Mr. Slade,” said Mary, gently. “It was I who sent for you, to exercise your holy office in marrying me to Richard Harrison. Let him loose, Dicky.” “No,” said Dicky, “a'll run off.” And he kept his grip upon the parson's arm. “I know enough of all this,” quavered the vicar, “to be aware that I must answer to Andrew Hogg if I marry you.” “Must answer to me if ee doan't,” said Dicky, putting his hand on his knife. “You are surely between two fires, Mr. Slade,” said Lady Alicia, smiling in spite of herself, at the man's terror, “for without doubt Dicky will do you a mischief if you refuse to perform this ceremony.” “That I wull!” growled Dicky. “I call upon you to witness then,” said Slade, “that I do it under compulsion, and in fear for my life. If you have a prayer-book in the house, Lady Alicia, have it fetched ; and then I am ready, since I must.” They sat waiting until Richard awoke, and then went together into his room, Dicky keeping near the parson, with a watchful eye upon him. When Mistress Mary saw the white face upon the pillow she came very near losing the self- possession she had retained so bravely. She stopped short, and stood for an
instant with both her clenched hands pressed against her throat. Then she went quickly to the bedside, and bent above him, smiling. And seeing who it was, he looked with wonder for a moment, and then smiled back at her. “Angel!” he whispered softly. She stooped, and laid her cheek against his. “Richard, my dear love,” said she, “do not try to move or speak. You are sorely hurt, and I have come to be with you night and day. And I have brought the parson to marry us, if you will have me, Richard.” “Will I?” he whispered, smiling. “Ay, and be run through fifty times to get the chance.” She put her finger on his lips. “You are only to say yes and no, sir,” said she, “and not to excite yourself at all. Do you understand?” “Yes and no, sir,” said he. She drew a ring from her finger, and placed it under the poor nerveless hand, which lay upon the cover. “It was my mother's wedding ring, and shall be mine,” she said. “When the time comes, I can slip my ringer into it; do not try to raise your hand. Dicky, you have been our friend this night, and you shall give me away. Go on, Mr. Slade; we are ready.” So they were married, with Lady Alicia and the serving-woman for witnesses; and Dicky Dirk gave the bride away. Then Mary put them all out of the room, and sitting down beside her husband, held his hand and sang to him softly until he went to sleep again. Day was breaking when all this was over, and Lady Alicia sat down in the hall, with her one footman and her two loaded muskets, to watch for Andrew Hogg, while Dicky Dirk hurried off across the fields, weaving from side to side and clutching at the air in his haste, and reaching the gates of Hackthorn Hall, sat down to wait for Gerald Harrison.