CHAPTER VI.
THE SERPENT AT LUCINDA'S BEDSIDE.
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ISS LUCINDA ARMINGTON was a beautiful
young lady, of medium size; she had heavenly
blue eyes, a brow like an angel; and altogether
the face of a seraph.
Her form was slender, but magnificently cut; a bust of wonderful symmetry, and beautiful arms and hands. Her hair chestnut brown, and beautifully curly; whilst her disposition was of that benevolent and frank character which would curl or entwine itself around every one, of either sex, who came in contact with the fair damsel. She loved the beautiful in nature, and adored gentlemen who were governed by principle, instead of policy.
In other words, she was the fac simile of Victor Juno in sentiment and spirit.
After she had learned of the deep interest that Victor Juno took in her; his unselfish acts in rescuing her and her father; and when she knew that he suffered so excruciatingly on her account, she seemed to get well almost at once.
She said to her father, a few days after his recital of the condition in which he found the young hero:
"Father, why should not I be equally brave and deter mined to save Victor Juno's life as he was to save mine?"
"My darling, I should be pleased to see you use every effort to do so," responded the father.
The day that General Armington accompanied Dr. Toy Fancy to Victor Juno's house, Deacon Rob Stew, after sending his servant for Victor's family doctor, went to visit Miss Lucinda Armington, and said:
"Miss Lucinda, I hope you are pleased with my selection of a physician for your courageous (?) young saviour—I mean Mr. Juno." Almost sneeringly and savagely he uttered these words, which caused Miss Armington to start and ejaculate:
"Deacon, I am very much indebted to you for going to so much trouble; had I known that it would have inconvenienced you so much, I should not have spoken of a physician in your presence, as I did, then father would not have thought of burdening you to select an eminent doctor."
"My dear Miss Lucinda, you do not understand me; I have not said, nor felt, it was the least trouble to serve you, or this young gentleman; but, when I spoke, an idea, not pleasing, concerning another matter entirely, flashed through my mind, which caused me to express myself a little emphatic, which I humbly pray you to pardon, for you must be aware that we are all sinners; but, thank God that his grace is abundant toward his elect," humbly responded Deacon Rob Stew.
"Your apology is accepted, and I am glad that I have not asked too much of you; but, when I come to think, it was not my intention to have you select a physician, but it was father's doings, who has such unfeigned confidence in your worth and goodness," said Miss Armington.
"I appreciate this compliment, and shall endeavor to merit it, if God is willing," replied the deacon.
After exchanging 'many words with Miss Lucinda, the over-rated deacon departed, but accidentally met Pat O 'Conner again, just as he was leaving the piazza, when the deacon said:
"Pat, how do you find things to-day; have you heard anything lately of this Mr. Juno?"
"Shurely yer honor must know more than I doos of what am goin' on in this house, or at Mr. Juno's plaze. Ye are a cunnin' gintleman; be jabers, ye make hay, I belave, while the sun shines. Will yer honor have the graceousness to kape my sacret away from Miss Armington? " said Pat.
"Pat, never fear me; but, to convince you of my trust worthiness, I will tell you a great secret, if you promise to hold it sacred and will serve me," replied the deacon.
"Och, murdher, yer honor, don't be a placin' me on aquality wid your holy self, I am only a poor workin' Irishman; howsomever, I kin kape sacrets, I warrant ye, an' if I kin sarve ye, will do it widout tanks," said Pat.
"I believe you, Pat, and as you confided in me without solicitation on my part, I will now return the compliment, and tell you that I hate that Victor Juno. He is a heathen, a heretic and an impudent innovator; and although, good Pat, you and I do not agree in religion exactly, yet we are Christians, whom this Mr. Juno tries to undermine and ruin by his worldly notions; therefore, Put, will you help us to put him where he belongs?" questioned Deacon Rob Stew.
"We-ll, yer honor, I bees at yer sarvice to do anyting that bees not too indacant, an' I am atinkin' where this Juno chap belongs. Will yer honor plaze tell me?" said Pat.
"Why, sir, he belongs to the ground from whence he came, and I have a plan at work that will place him for ever beyond stepping into my, or your, path," ejaculated the deacon, in reckless anger.
"Och, howly Moses!" meditated Pat, "I shmell a mighty big rat, or I'm no man," and said: "Yer honor knows what's best, au' I will be sacret and sarve ye in any manner; but here comes Judy McCrea, so good day to yer honor."
"Judy, darlin', an' I have a sacret to confide to yer bossom, could I but fale sartin that me darlin' could kape a dredful sacret," said Pat.
"Why, Pat, ye spakes like a crazy man; do ye tink I've become a tratress and vaggabone, and have ye lost fath in. yer Judy?" angrily said Judy.
"No, me darlin', be me sowl ye air accusin' of me wrongly; howsomever, I hav a monstrous sacret to tell ye, an' if ye promise to kape it good, I will give it ye, an' I want ye to hilp me to worry the matter out," said Pat.
"An' shure, I'll do it all as ye plaze, dear Pat," responded Judy.
"Open yer eyes, then, Judy, darlin', an' listen; do ye know that ould hypocret, Dacon Stew, bees manin' harm to the brave young lord, Victor Juno?" said Pat.
"Ye do not mane that?" replied Judy.
"Mane it, begorra I knows it; but I'll fix the dirty ould blackgard, or I'm no man; Judy, darlin', will ye hilp me to watch the squally curmndgon?" said Pat.
"Cartainly I will," responded Judy.
"A blazin idee strikes me mind; and that bees, we must tell Miss Armington of the attampt this dacon bees makin' to murdher Victor Juno," said Pat.
"Murdher Juno!" ejaculated Judy.
"Yis, bluddy murdher, jist now abreedin'. Ye git Miss Armington to consult wid ye an' me, and do it quick," said Pat, as though new danger fired up his soul.
Judy McCrea was a faithful nurse, who would have willingly lost her own life for her mistress, and she was already aware that Miss Lucinda Armington loved Victor Juno; therefore she hurried to find her ladyship, to bring her to Pat O'Conner, for the purpose of giving her the news.
Miss Armington said: "Judy, what does Pat want with me?"
"Och, my swate lady, an' he has a parcil to tell ye what will make yer blood fraze," nervously replied Judy.
"Tell me, what does he mean?" said Miss Armington.
"Indade, an' I couldn't tell ye, becase I do not know much aboot it," responded Judy.
"Well, Judy, I'll go with you in a moment to hear what Pat has to say," said Miss Armington.
They passed out together to consult Pat, who bowed profoundly to Miss Armington, and said:
"Do the lady desire to lam of the diviltry that am a hatchin'?"
"Yes, Pat, I am curious to know the news," replied Miss Armington.
"Yer ladyship," said Pat, after suspiciously looking all around, "I could not tell ye here, but let us go to some sacret plaze, whin I'll tache ye a wonder."
"Come, then, let us go into the library," responded Miss Armington.