CHAPTER XXVII.
COLONEL STANTON'S TALE.
Two days after being brought to the plantation Colonel Stanton's feverwent down, and the surgeon who came to attend him pronounced the officermuch better.
"But he must remain where he is for some time," said the medical man.
"He can remain as long as he pleases," declared Mrs. Ruthven. "I have nowish to hurry his departure."
She was anxious to learn the truth concerning the colonel's past, yetrealized that she must move with caution, otherwise he might be throwninto another fever.
"Colonel Stanton," she said, seating herself at his side, "were you everin the neighborhood before--I mean some ten or eleven years ago?"
At this question Colonel Stanton became immediately interested, and hiswide-open eyes showed it.
"I do not know if I was in this neighborhood," he answered slowly.
"You do not know? Surely you must remember where you were at the time Imention."
"The time you speak about was a very bitter one to me, madam," was hisslow answer.
"And you do not wish to speak about it?" she said softly, seeing thepain in his face.
"I have spoken to nobody about it for years, madam. Yet I would not mindspeaking to you--you are so kind to me. During the time you mention Itook an ocean voyage which was very disastrous to me and mine. The shipwent down with all on board, including my wife and child."
"Did the ship go down on this coast?"
"She struck somewhere along the coast; where, I am not exactly sure."
"May I ask the name of the vessel?"
"She was the _Nautilus_."
Mrs. Ruthven's breast began to heave. "It must be true!" she murmured.
"What must be true, madam?"
"The _Nautilus_ was wrecked on our coast here, not over half a milefrom this plantation."
"You are sure of this?"
"I am. The wreck is still on the rocks in the bay."
"And were you living here at the time?"
"I was, and I know all about the wreck, and so does Old Ben, the negrowho has the boathouse on the shore."
The wounded officer's interest increased.
"I would like to visit that wreck some time, if it is still intact," hesaid. "I left some valuable papers in a secret closet. It is possiblethey are still on board."
"Do you know who was saved from the wreck?"
"Saved? No one was saved."
"You are mistaken--a lady and her child were saved. The lady died twodays later, but the child still lives."
"What was the name of that lady? Tell me, quick?" gasped the officer,and tried to sit up, but fell back through weakness.
"Do not excite yourself, Colonel Stanton, I beg of you!" pleaded Mrs.Ruthven, in alarm, fearful of the patient's agitation.
"But tell me the name of that lady--and was the child a boy?"
"I do not know the name of the lady, for she was badly hurt and couldnot give it. The boy's name was Jack."
"Jack! My child's name was Jack. And you say he still lives?"
"He does. The child is our Jack, for my husband and I adopted him."
"Your Jack? That fine, manly fellow? Oh, Mrs. Ruthven, send him to me atonce!"
"I cannot do that just now, Colonel Stanton."
"If only we can prove he is my son! Have you nothing belonging to thelady?"
"Yes, I have her clothing, also the little boy's, and some jewelry."
"Bring them to me," and now the colonel sank back, too weak to say more.
As much agitated as her patient, Mrs. Ruthven hurried from the room, andpresently returned with the clothing, the lace handkerchief, and thewedding ring.
"They were my darling Laura's!" murmured Colonel Stanton, as he gazed atthe things. "And this was little Jack's dress. Mrs. Ruthven, beyond adoubt Jack is my son!"
"I suspected as much two days ago, Colonel Stanton. When you had a feveryou spoke of a shipwreck and of the loss of your wife and son Jack. Yes,Jack must be your son. But how were you saved?"
"It is a strange tale, madam. As you know, my wife and my son werewashed ashore. I thought them drowned. Hours after I found myself, Iscarcely know how, clinging to a spar, tossing up and down on the drearywaste of waters, far out to sea."
"And you were picked up?"
"Not for twenty-four hours or more. Then those on a passing ship espiedme, and sent out a small boat to my rescue. I can remember how theyhauled me in, and how I shrieked with joy, and then fell to the deckunconscious."
"The exposure was too much for you."
"Yes, and it not only affected my body, but likewise my mind, for it isonly in a dim, uncertain way that I remember being taken on a voyage ofseveral weeks' duration, and then finding myself in a strange-lookinghospital. There I remained for two months, and was then transferred toan insane asylum."
"An insane asylum! Colonel Stanton, how you must have suffered!" criedMrs. Ruthven sympathetically.
"That was not the worst of it, madam. At the asylum I was treated mostbrutally by a good-for-nothing physician, who did his best to pry intomy family affairs."
"And who was that physician, Colonel Stanton? Excuse my curiosity, but Ihave a strong motive for wanting to know."
"He was a tall, wicked-looking fellow, who went by the name ofMackenzie, although I have since learned that his real name is Mackwellor Mackey."
"Dr. Mackey! He has been here."
"Here?"
"Exactly, and he claims Jack as his son!"
"The vile impostor!" cried the wounded officer wrathfully. "He is avillain to his very finger tips. It is to him that I owe my long term inthe insane asylum. Where is he now?"
"That I cannot tell you. I refused to give Jack up, for I did not likethe looks of the man, and moreover Jack did not wish to go with him. Itold him he would have to prove his claim at court."
"That was right. If I can get my hands on him, I will either shoot himor place him behind the bars."
"He certainly deserves arrest for plotting to take Jack."
"I presume he is scheming to obtain the property which is rightfullymine. During my lucid intervals at the asylum he got me to tell him mystory. There was property in England coming to me, and also an estate inVirginia coming to my wife. The trip on the ocean was taken to obtainthe property coming to Laura. He drew from me all the details he could,and then drugged me, so that for a long time I knew scarcely anything ofwhat happened. When I regained my own mind, I learned that he had leftthe asylum several weeks before, and departed for parts unknown."
"And were you kept at the asylum?"
"I was, for years, for this rascal had put me on the books as beingincurable, and subject to attacks of great violence."
"Of course he did this to obtain possession of the property."
"Undoubtedly."
"It is strange he did not put in an appearance before."
"You must remember he knew no more than I about the exact fate of the_Nautilus_. How he found out the vessel was wrecked here I do notknow."
"He has paid the wreck a visit--Old Ben rowed him over to it!" criedMrs. Ruthven, struck with a sudden idea.
"Did he bring anything away with him?"
"Old Ben thought he brought with him a tin box."
"It must have been my box--the one I placed in the secret closet! I mustget it away from him. But tell me of Jack. When will he be back?"
"I--I cannot say, Colonel Stanton."
"Did you send him away on an errand?"
"I--I did not."
"But he is not here. Tell me, is he--is he missing--shot?"
"He is missing, yes. I do not believe he has been shot."
"It must be more of Dr. Mackey's work," muttered the wounded officer,and then sank down. The conversation had exhausted him utterly, and itwas a long while before he spoke again.
Young Captain Jack; Or, The Son of a Soldier Page 28