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The Floating Press - Louisa May Alcott

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54 pages

English

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Settle in for a cozy holiday-themed read from the author of beloved classics like Little Women. In The Abbot's Ghost, Louisa May Alcott builds on the traditional elements of a Victorian ghost story, pitting a group of well-drawn characters against one another in a thrilling mystery plot. A perfect diversion at Christmas or any time of the year.

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Short story

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Publié par	The Floating Press
Date de parution	01 juin 2012
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781775458357
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0134€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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THE ABBOT'S GHOST
MAURICE TREHERNE'S TEMPTATION, A CHRISTMAS STORY
* * *
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

*
The Abbot's Ghost Maurice Treherne's Temptation, a Christmas Story First published in 1867 ISBN 978-1-77545-835-7 © 2012 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
*
Chapter I - Dramatis Personae Chapter II - Byplay Chapter III - Who was It? Chapter IV - Feeding the Peacocks Chapter V - Under the Mistletoe Chapter VI - Miracles Chapter VII - A Ghostly Revel Chapter VIII - Jasper
Chapter I - Dramatis Personae
*
"How goes it, Frank? Down first, as usual."
"The early bird gets the worm, Major."
"Deuced ungallant speech, considering that the lovely Octavia is theworm," and with a significant laugh the major assumed an Englishman'sfavorite attitude before the fire.
His companion shot a quick glance at him, and an expression of anxietypassed over his face as he replied, with a well-feigned air ofindifference, "You are altogether too sharp, Major. I must be on myguard while you are in the house. Any new arrivals? I thought I heard acarriage drive up not long ago."
"It was General Snowdon and his charming wife. Maurice Treherne camewhile we were out, and I've not seen him yet, poor fellow!"
"Aye, you may well say that; his is a hard case, if what I heard istrue. I'm not booked up in the matter, and I should be, lest I make someblunder here, so tell me how things stand, Major. We've a good half hourbefore dinner. Sir Jasper is never punctual."
"Yes, you've a right to know, if you are going to try your fortunewith Octavia."
The major marched through the three drawing rooms to see that noinquisitive servant was eavesdropping, and, finding all deserted, heresumed his place, while young Annon lounged on a couch as he listenedwith intense interest to the major's story.
"You know it was supposed that old Sir Jasper, being a bachelor, wouldleave his fortune to his two nephews. But he was an oddity, and as thetitle must go to young Jasper by right, the old man said Mauriceshould have the money. He was poor, young Jasper rich, and it seemed butjust, though Madame Mère was very angry when she learned how the willwas made."
"But Maurice didn't get the fortune. How was that?"
"There was some mystery there which I shall discover in time. All wentsmoothly till that unlucky yachting trip, when the cousins were wrecked.Maurice saved Jasper's life, and almost lost his own in so doing. Ifancy he wishes he had, rather than remain the poor cripple he is.Exposure, exertion, and neglect afterward brought on paralysis of thelower limbs, and there he is—a fine, talented, spirited fellow tied tothat cursed chair like a decrepit old man."
"How does he bear it?" asked Annon, as the major shook his gray head,with a traitorous huskiness in his last words.
"Like a philosopher or a hero. He is too proud to show his despair atsuch a sudden end to all his hopes, too generous to complain, for Jasperis desperately cut up about it, and too brave to be daunted by amisfortune which would drive many a man mad."
"Is it true that Sir Jasper, knowing all this, made a new will and leftevery cent to his namesake?"
"Yes, and there lies the mystery. Not only did he leave it away frompoor Maurice, but so tied it up that Jasper cannot transfer it, and athis death it goes to Octavia."
"The old man must have been demented. What in heaven's name did he meanby leaving Maurice helpless and penniless after all his devotion toJasper? Had he done anything to offend the old party?"
"No one knows; Maurice hasn't the least idea of the cause of this suddenwhim, and the old man would give no reason for it. He died soon after,and the instant Jasper came to the title and estate he brought hiscousin home, and treats him like a brother. Jasper is a noble fellow,with all his faults, and this act of justice increases my respect forhim," said the major heartily.
"What will Maurice do, now that he can't enter the army as he intended?"asked Annon, who now sat erect, so full of interest was he.
"Marry Octavia, and come to his own, I hope."
"An excellent little arrangement, but Miss Treherne may object," saidAnnon, rising with sudden kindling of the eye.
"I think not, if no one interferes. Pity, with women, is akin to love,and she pities her cousin in the tenderest fashion. No sister could bemore devoted, and as Maurice is a handsome, talented fellow, one caneasily foresee the end, if, as I said before, no one interferes todisappoint the poor lad again."
"You espouse his cause, I see, and tell me this that I may stand aside.Thanks for the warning, Major; but as Maurice Treherne is a man ofunusual power in many ways, I think we are equally matched, in spite ofhis misfortune. Nay, if anything, he has the advantage of me, for MissTreherne pities him, and that is a strong ally for my rival. I'll be asgenerous as I can, but I'll not stand aside and relinquish the woman Ilove without a trial first."
With an air of determination Annon faced the major, whose keen eyes hadread the truth which he had but newly confessed to himself. MajorRoyston smiled as he listened, and said briefly, as steps approached,"Do your best. Maurice will win."
"We shall see," returned Annon between his teeth.
Here their host entered, and the subject of course was dropped. But themajor's words rankled in the young man's mind, and would have beendoubly bitter had he known that their confidential conversation had beenoverheard. On either side of the great fireplace was a door leading to asuite of rooms which had been old Sir Jasper's. These apartments hadbeen given to Maurice Treherne, and he had just returned from London,whither he had been to consult a certain famous physician. Enteringquietly, he had taken possession of his rooms, and having rested anddressed for dinner, rolled himself into the library, to which led thecurtained door on the right. Sitting idly in his light, wheeled chair,ready to enter when his cousin appeared, he had heard the chat of Annonand the major. As he listened, over his usually impassive face passedvarying expressions of anger, pain, bitterness, and defiance, and whenthe young man uttered his almost fierce "We shall see," Treherne smileda scornful smile and clenched his pale hand with a gesture which provedthat a year of suffering had not conquered the man's spirit, though ithad crippled his strong body.
A singular face was Maurice Treherne's; well-cut and somewhat haughtyfeatures; a fine brow under the dark locks that carelessly streaked it;and remarkably piercing eyes. Slight in figure and wasted by pain, hestill retained the grace as native to him as the stern fortitude whichenabled him to hide the deep despair of an ambitious nature from everyeye, and bear his affliction with a cheerful philosophy more patheticthan the most entire abandonment to grief. Carefully dressed, and withno hint at invalidism but the chair, he bore himself as easily andcalmly as if the doom of lifelong helplessness did not hang over him. Asingle motion of the hand sent him rolling noiselessly to the curtaineddoor, but as he did so, a voice exclaimed behind him, "Wait for me,cousin." And as he turned, a young girl approached, smiling a gladwelcome as she took his hand, adding in a tone of soft reproach, "Homeagain, and not let me know it, till I heard the good news by accident."
"Was it good news, Octavia?" and Maurice looked up at the frank facewith a new expression in those penetrating eyes of his. His cousin'sopen glance never changed as she stroked the hair off his forehead withthe caress one often gives a child, and answered eagerly, "The best tome; the house is dull when you are away, for Jasper always becomesabsorbed in horses and hounds, and leaves Mamma and me to mope byourselves. But tell me, Maurice, what they said to you, since you wouldnot write."
"A little hope, with time and patience. Help me to wait, dear, helpme to wait."
His tone was infinitely sad, and as he spoke, he leaned his cheekagainst the kind hand he held, as if to find support and comfort there.The girl's face brightened beautifully, though her eyes filled, for toher alone did he betray his pain, and in her alone did he seekconsolation.
"I will, I will with heart and hand! Thank heaven for the hope, andtrust me it shall be fulfilled. You look very tired, Maurice. Why go into dinner with all those people? Let me make you cozy here," she addedanxiously.
"Thanks, I'd rather go in, it does me good; and if I stay away, Jasperfeels that he must stay with me. I dressed in haste, am I right,little nurse?"
She gave him a comprehensive glance, daintily settled his cravat,brushed back a truant lock, and, with a maternal air that was charming,said, "My boy is always elegant, and I'm proud of him. Now we'll go in."But with her hand on the curtain she paused, saying quickly, as a voicereached her, "Who is that?"
"Frank Annon. Didn't you know he was coming?" Maurice eyed her keenly.
"No, Jasper never told me. Why did he ask him?"
"To please you."
"Me! When he knows I detest the man. No matter, I've got on the color hehates, so he won't annoy me, and Mrs. Snowdon can amuse herself withhim. The general has come, you know?"
Treherne smiled, well pleased, for no sign of maiden shame or pleasuredid the girl's face betray, and as he watched her while she peeped, hethought with satisfaction, Annon is right, I have the advantage,and I'll keep it at all costs.
"Here is Mamma.