Oakhurst (starting in astonishment; aside). Sandy Morton, my lost
partner's father! This is fate.
Morton. You are astonished; but I thought so. Ay, you will hear
me now! I am your father, Alexander Morton, who drove you, a
helpless boy, into disgrace and misery. I know your shameless
life: for twenty years it was mine, and worse, until, by the grace
of God, I reformed, as you shall. I have stopped you in a
disgraceful act. Your mother--God forgive me!--left HER house, for
MY arms, as wickedly, as wantonly, as shamelessly--
Oakhurst. Stop, old man! Stop! Another word (seizing him), and I
may forget your years.
Morton. But not your blood. No, Alexander Morton, I have come
thousands of miles for one sacred purpose,--to save you; and I
shall, with God's will, do it now. Be it so, on one condition.
You shall have this girl; but lawfully, openly, with the sanction
of Heaven and your parents.
Oakhurst (aside). I see a ray of hope. This is Sandy's father;
the cold, insensate brute, who drove him into exile, the one bitter
memory of his life. Sandy disappeared, irreclaimable, or living
alone, hating irrevocably the author of his misery; why should not
I--
Morton (continuing). On one condition. Hear me, Alexander Morton.
If within a year, you, abandoning your evil practices, your wayward
life, seek to reform beneath my roof, I will make this proud
Spanish Don glad to accept you as the more than equal of his
daughter.
Pages:
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55