CHAPTER XIII.
DR. MACKEY TELLS HIS STORY.
Left to herself, Mrs. Ruthven grew restless and began to walk around thegarden, examining the flower beds and the shrubbery.
She did not like what St. John had had to say concerning Marion. Whileshe did not exactly fear the young man, yet she had heard severalreports which were not to his credit.
"They say he gambles on horse races," she thought. "And I have heardthat the plantation is heavily mortgaged. Perhaps he wishes to marryMarion only for the money she may bring him. And then it is not rightfor him to remain around here when other men are at the front, servingtheir country's flag."
She remained in the garden for some time, and was on the point of movingfor the house when she saw Old Ben approaching with Dr. Mackey.
"A stranger--and dressed in the uniform of a Confederate," she said,half aloud. "What can he wish here?"
"Good-afternoon, missus," said Old Ben, removing his hat. "Here am agen'man as wishes to see yo'," and he bowed low.
"To see me?" said Mrs. Ruthven.
"Yes, madam," replied the doctor. "Permit me to introduce myself. I amDr. Mackey, a surgeon attached to the Fifth Virginia regiment," and hebowed gravely.
"I am happy to make the acquaintance of an officer in our army, sir,"replied Mrs. Ruthven, and held out her hand.
"I understand the late Colonel Ruthven was also of our army, and died ata gallant charge on the field of Gettysburg," continued the doctor, ashe shook hands.
"You have been correctly informed, doctor."
"De doctor brings most important information, missus," put in old Ben,who was almost exploding to tell what he knew.
"Is that so?" cried Mrs. Ruthven. "What is it?"
"I came to speak to you about yonder wreck on Hemlock Bluff rocks," saidthe surgeon. "The sight of that wreck has taken me back to the affairsof about eleven years ago."
"So you were--you knew of it at that time, sir?"
"Yes, I was one of the passengers on the ship, madam."
"A passenger! I thought all of the passengers were drowned,--I mean allbut those who came ashore here."
"I was not drowned. I was swept overboard before our ship came into thebay, and clung to a spar for hours, until the storm abated. Then a shipbound for Cuba came along and took me on board and carried me to Havana.The shock and the exposure were too much for me, and when I recoveredphysically the authorities at the hospital adjudged me insane, and I wasplaced in an asylum for years. Slowly my reason returned to me, and atlast I left the island of Cuba and came to the Southern States. This wasshortly after the war had broken out, and, knowing nothing else to do, Ioffered my services to General Lee, and was accepted and placed in thehospital corps."
"But why did you not come here before?"
"I could not tell exactly where the ship had stranded, and did not hearof the wreck on Hemlock Bluff rocks until about three weeks ago. Then Idetermined to make an investigation. I have now visited the wreck andhave learned positively that it is that of the ship upon which myself,my wife, and our little son took passage."
"Yourself, your wife, and your little son," repeated Mrs. Ruthven, andthen of a sudden her breast began to heave. "Your wife and son were withyou?"
"Yes, madam."
"Wha--what was your little son's name?" she faltered, hardly able to goon.
"Jack."
"By golly, he must be our Jack's fadder!" burst out Old Ben. "Now don'tdat beat de nation!"
"Jack! No! no! You--you cannot be our Jack's father!" cried Mrs.Ruthven.
"I understand you are very much attached to the boy," went on Dr. Mackeysmoothly. "It is a pity. Yes, he is truly my son."
The tears came into Mrs. Ruthven's eyes, but she hastily brushed themaway. "Jack does not look much like you," she declared.
"That is true, but he bears a strong resemblance to my dead brotherWalter, and that is what made me certain he is my son. I saw him in towna day or two ago, although he did not see me."
"This is very strange." The lady hardly knew how to go on. The thoughtthat she might have to give up Jack was a bitter one. "Have you spokento Jack yet?"
"No. Isn't he here?"
"No, he went for a boat race, against his cousin, St. John Ruthven--Imean my nephew," she stammered.
"Do you expect him back soon?"
"I do not believe he will be gone more than an hour or so."
"Then I will wait."
"Of course, Dr. Mackey. Will you come into the house?"
The surgeon was willing, and the lady led the way. But presently sheturned back to beckon to Old Ben.
"Go after Jack at once," she said. "Tell him it is important, but do notsay anything more to anybody." Ben nodded, and without further delaystrode off.
"I have heard something of how the wreck struck here and how my poorwife was cast ashore with Jack in her arms," said the doctor, as hethrew himself into an easy-chair. "I should be very much gratified toreceive the particulars from your lips. Did my wife have anything tosay?"
"Nothing much, sir. She was delirious up to the moment of her death."
"Poor, dear Julia!" murmured the surgeon, and bringing out hishandkerchief, he wiped his eyes with much affectation.
"Was her name Julia?" asked Mrs. Ruthven curiously.
"Yes, madam." The doctor looked up suddenly. "What makes you ask?"
"It ran in my mind that before your wife died she murmured somethingabout her name being Laura."
"Poor dear! she was truly out of her mind," replied the surgeon. "But itis not to be wondered at--considering what happened to me." And heproceeded to make use of his handkerchief again.
Mrs. Ruthven sank into a chair and gave herself up to bitter reflection.What if this man should take Jack from her? The plantation would seemvery lonely without him.
Voices were now heard in the garden, and looking out of the window thelady of the house saw Jack approaching, accompanied by Marion and OldBen. St. John had taken himself off, in order to get home and exchangehis wet clothing for dry garments.
"Oh, Jack! what does this mean?" cried Mrs. Ruthven when she saw thatour hero was dripping wet.
"He saved St. John's life, mamma," exclaimed Marion.
"Saved St. John's life?"
"Yes. St. John's boat struck on the rocks, and he went overboard. Thecurrent was strong, and he would have been swept away only Jack leapedoverboard and went to his assistance."
"You noble boy!" murmured Mrs. Ruthven, and as he came in, by way of oneof the long veranda windows, she caught him by both hands.
"Old Ben said you wished to see me," replied Jack, and then he caughtsight of Dr. Mackey and his face fell. "The man I had the row with," hethought.
"Jack, this is Dr. Mackey," said Mrs. Ruthven, in strained tones."He--he came here to see you." She could get no further.
"To see me? What for?"
"My boy, I am pleased to meet you," said the doctor, rising andextending his hand. And he then added in a lower voice, "How likeWalter! How very like Walter!"
"I--I don't understand you," stammered Jack. "What do you want of me?"
"My boy, you are thinking of that encounter we had on the bridge. Let usboth forget it. I came here on a most important mission. Jack, I am yourfather!"
"My father?" And our hero leaped back in astonishment.
"Yes, my son, I am your father." Dr. Mackey caught our hero by the hand."No doubt the news seems strange to you. Nevertheless, it is true."
Jack hardly heard the latter words, for his head was in a swim. Thiscrafty-looking, overbearing individual his parent? The shock was anawful one. He turned to his foster mother.
"Mother, is this true--is this man my real father?" he criedbeseechingly.
"So he claims," returned Mrs. Ruthven.
"My dear, dear son, I trust you do not disbelieve me," said the doctor,in an apparently hurt tone of voice.
"I--I don't know what to say," faltered Jack. "This is so strange--sounexpected. Why didn't
you come here before?"
"I have just been telling Mrs. Ruthven my story," and the surgeonrepeated what he had said, with several added details. As the man wenton our hero's face grew very pale, and he moved slowly towards Mrs.Ruthven and clutched her by the shoulder.
"Mother, I don't want to leave you!" he whispered hoarsely. "I don'tlike this man, even if he is my father!"
"I do not want you to leave me, Jack," she answered, embracing him inspite of the fact that he was dripping wet. "But if this man is reallyyour father----"
"Make him prove it!"
"You will not take his word?"
"No! no! I do not like his looks. He is the man who met me on the bridgeand treated me like a slave."
Marion had listened to the conversation with a look of horror slowlyrising on her face. Now she rushed toward Jack.
"Jack, can this be true, and must I give you up?" she sobbed.
"No, I'm not going to give you up, Marion. We have always been brotherand sister, and so we shall remain--if you are willing."
"Yes, dear Jack; stay by all means."
By this time Dr. Mackey had arisen to his feet, and now he came up toJack with a darkening face.
"Did I understand you to say that you wished me to prove I was yourfather?" he demanded harshly.
"Yes, I do wish you to prove it," answered Jack, with a boldness born ofdesperation. "And until you prove it I shall remain here--if Mrs.Ruthven will let me."
"By golly, dat's de talk!" came from Old Ben, who was hanging around onthe veranda.
"Shut up, you worthless nigger!" cried the doctor, at which Bendisappeared like magic.
"This is a very--ahem--a very strange way to treat a newly found father,Jack."
"I don't acknowledge you as my father."
"Ha! you won't believe me?"
"I will not, sir, and until you prove your claim in court I shall remainwith the lady who has been a real mother to me," answered our heropointedly and firmly.
Young Captain Jack; Or, The Son of a Soldier Page 14