The White Rose of MemphisFalkner, William C. (Clark)
General
The White Rose of Memphis
Falkner, William C. (Clark)
Memphis (Tenn.) -- Fiction
“‘No one has been in the house, but I saw a man standing on the bluff
there yesterday, and thought from his conduct he was watching the
premises.’
“‘I dare say he was, because I begin to suspect that we are watched; and
this makes me the more anxious to get away from here.’
“‘Come in, dear; I know you are hungry, and I have prepared you a nice
supper with my own hands. I have made you a cup of strong tea, and
broiled you a mutton-chop.’
“‘You are very thoughtful, Mollie, and I consider myself eminently
blessed by your love--I feel that I am unworthy of such good fortune. I
don’t think I could endure my troubles but for the sustaining influence
of your love and encouragement.’
“‘Oh, Eddie, if we could escape to some distant land where no one would
know us--where we could feel safe, how happy we should be!’
“‘Yes, darling, and that is precisely what I mean to do soon; I would do
it now, but there is an unfortunate little affair that detains me here,
though I will get it off my hands speedily.’
“As soon as the man had dispatched his supper the woman removed the
dishes and returned to where her lover sat, and began to play with his
long, shaggy hair. It was evident from her conduct that she loved him
devotedly, for she ever and anon bent over and stamped a kiss on his
lips, while her long, black hair fell unconfined about his face.
“‘Let us leave this place, Heartsell,’ whispered Harry; ‘I shall die
with disgust; I cannot command my feelings much longer. Oh, what a shame
it is to see what I have beheld to-night! I have often seen my sister
kiss that rascal’s lips and shower a thousand endearing expressions on
him. He made her believe he loved her, and I have heard him swear by
everything sacred that he never cared for any other woman. I don’t
believe it would be wrong to shoot him down like a dog, though I mean to
give him a chance for his life. He or I must leave the world, and that
very soon. Heartsell, Lottie must know of this affair.’
“‘Yes, I think it best to tell her everything. Poor girl! it will nearly
kill her; I deeply sympathize with her, and would freely lay down my
life to secure her happiness.’
“‘You shall marry her if you want her, because you have saved her. I
think she will be guided by my wishes when she finds how she has been
deceived in that man.’
“‘Wallingford, if she would love me as she has loved that unworthy
scoundrel I would be the happiest man on earth.’
“‘She can’t fail to love you when she learns how you have worked to save
her; but come, we must go now; we can discuss that matter at another
time.’
“‘Wait a moment; they are drawing the curtains down--there, they have
put out the light.’
“Heartsell and Harry remained by the tree until after midnight; darkness
and silence pervaded the premises, and it was certain that the parties
had retired, when they turned and walked back to Mr. Rockland’s.
“‘Good-night, Wallingford,’ said Heartsell, ‘I’ll see you again early in
the morning.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account