Arnold's TempterComfort, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Freeman)
History
Arnold's Tempter
Comfort, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Freeman)
Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801 -- Fiction; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Fiction
In three weeks she was able to drive in the carriage on mild days. But
her heart seemed heavy. She watched for the mail. She thought that he
could not have given her up without a word. Weeks grew into months and
the spring came and the summer passed yet no word from the one she knew
was dearer to her than life.
But on a bright day in October, nearly a year from the time when Mollie
was taken ill, a large, brawny man approached the portico where Mollie
was seated, and raising his hat, he asked:
“Is this Dorminghurst?”
“Yes,” replied Mollie.
“I have a letter here for Miss Greydon.” And the hardened hand of the
man placed a packet in Mollie’s fingers.
“Why, it is from Mr. Barclugh!” exclaimed Mollie.
“Where did you get it, sir?” asked Mollie.
“I brought it from the inlet on the Jersey coast. It came from New York
by sloop,” answered the man, who was one of the fishermen Barclugh had
employed when he fled.
“Are there any fees, sir?”
“None whatever. I was charged to deliver it into the hands of Miss
Mollie Greydon. I have done so and my duty ends. Good day. I must
return,” was the short and unceremonious message of the boatman and he
left as mysteriously as he came.
But here it was, the word from Roderick Barclugh at last: A large
package emblazoned with a crest and the motto standing out in strong
contrast:
“Post Nubes Lux”
Mollie opened it with nervous hand and she gazed at the bold
handwriting of Roderick Barclugh with an anxious face.
Devon Court, Devonshire,
August 17, 178--
“My dear Madam:
“True to my pledge to your honored father I have changed my attitude
toward the Colonies. Mostly from your precious lips I have learned
to love your country and the principles that they are struggling to
maintain. I am happy to inform you that the Colonies will very soon
be free and independent States. The report that I have made to my
superiors is enclosed and the conclusion has been made according
to the information in my report that a war of extermination is
impracticable and that England will honor the Colonies to establish
which she has contributed the best blood in her realm and will wish
them Godspeed.
“Now as to my part in the unfortunate drama of Arnold’s treason I can
only say: ‘Forget it and forgive me.’
“If it had succeeded my only desire was to share with you the honors
that I might have claimed.
“My dear Madam, I love you with all my soul. Your affection is more
to me than my country, my title, or even my life. If you would only
consent to be my wife I will go whithersoever thou sayest or do
whatsoever thou biddest. Be mine and we will be forever happy.
“Since my return to England my older brother has died and the title
has fallen to me. My fortune is now ample and we can live quietly on
our estates. The world has little to attract me outside of domestic
happiness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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