Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 243: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE. “Then, away we goes, and good Iuck to old Sca 7” money. See the blaze ty ‘ eee The carriage rolled along at a rapid rate, = ea gt ee its light, and a sudden glare of dark red Hames in the distance told of : es Gees some disaster at the CHAPTER CXVI, THE APPRENTICES AMONG THE FORGERS— STRANGE AND EXCITING SCENES, THE position of young Maberly as he lay concealed under the bed in a room at the Forge was most perilous indeed, He was but a mere youth in age, : But he possessed a good stout heart, and had some of the deep cunning, which, as we have seen in the preceding chapter, his father possessed, - Had Sir Humphrey,‘as he stood at the chamber door gazing on the sleeping beauty, thought for a moment that his actions were watched by the bold stripling, he would have dracced him forth and butchered him on the spot, $4. Luckily for Maberly, he lay still as a mouse. | Eps omplirey was a powerful man, and always went well armed, He gazed upon the sberiff’s daughter as she lay fast asleep. He crept up to the bed, and leaned over her, She was now sound asleep. ““They have done their work well,” he muttered to himself. “She has been drugged !” He leaned over the unconscious maiden, and, with his Rene ous lips, imprinted a hot, luscious kiss upon her marble row. What was young Maberly to do? He was unarmed. He could do nothing, but resolved to thwart the villain's base designs, if it cost him his life. While he was pending and holding his breath for fear of detection, Sir Humphrey was bent upon the basest of crimes. His wicked eyes gloated over his intended victim, and he was about to proceed in his hellish purpose, when strange shouts and angry noises met his startled ear. A man was heard to rush upstairs. ‘Haste, Sir Humphrey, haste away! Fly! seek safety! The Forge is alarmed! The Apprentices are ont ! Nat Fathom and his gang are here !” The man, whoever he was, that gave this information hur- riedly went downstairs again, | “Nat Fathom and the Apprefitices abroad?” said Sir Humphrey. “It cannot be; yet I must fly.” In order that he might not be discovered by any one in ey he was going to do, he fastened his mask firmly upon is face, 239 “T know what to do,” said he, “TI will convey the girl away by back alley ways to a house more safe than this near the river: there I can accomplish my purpose undisturbed and unseen, She sleeps soundly and will not awake. The drug administered to her is a potent one.” Thus thinking, he seized the unconcious gitl round the waist, and carried her forth from the chamber. On the instant young Maberly flew to the window, and noiselessly opened it. He next closed and barred the bed-room door, and went to the window again. He whistled thrice so shrilly that thesound was plainly heard by Sir Humphrey as he made his way downstairs. He was startled, for he knew it was an Apprentice’s signal. Again and again the shrilh whistle was heard. It was quickly answered by some one near, Young Maberly in a few moments had the pleasure to seea powerful fellow approach the house, “Tt is not an Apprentice,” he thought. ‘ Who can it be? If it should be some well-armed Forger,” he thought. He challenged him. “Who goes there ?” “A friend ?” “Who's friend?” ‘‘ Apprentices.” This he said, and entered the house. While this was going on Sir Humphrey, in great haste, was making his way through a large oak apartment, much like a long disused kitchen, which led into the garden and back premises, As he was congratulating himself on his near escape with the prize the door was dashed open. A fierce-looking man, knife in hand, rushed upon him ere he could place his unconscious victim on the floor, “Villa |’ he cried, “ we have met.” . Sir Humphrey was astounded, but his opponent seized him by the throat, and struck him to the earth like a dog, It was Nat Fathom ! * * * * * * But while Nat Fathom was conveying away the uncon- scious girl from the blood-stained apartment wherein Sir . Humphrey lay helpless and wounded, let us turn for a moment to the doings of Will Winter and others on thai same night at the “ Forge.” When the boats had landed, as we have seen, and every atrangement had been made, Will Winter pursued his way straight to a public-house, which was well known to _be fre- quented by Ivan, Andy, and the chiefs of the Forgers generally, He met the landlord as he entered. The man started as he met his gaze, and shrunk back as though he had suddenly fallen across a serpent. : He would have heartily retired, but Will Winter seized him, and held him with a grip of iron. (To be continued.) ’ — —~ THE TWO VICTIMS. (Continued from page 232.) ——4#—_— But the time was come that her parents had looked jor to dis- semble no longer themselves. They came to the convent and told Mary that.after the maturest deliberation they saw no other method of rendering the family happy than by her embracing the monastic life, and to continue to wear the habit she had assumed ; that she had better doit with a good grace than adhere toa refusal, which they gave her to understand would be unavailing ; that by comply- ine cheerfully with their request, she would gain and experience their goodwill in a way that would render her situation pleasing and comfortable in the highest degree; that every accommodation suitable to her state should be found her, with the utmost kindness and liberality ; and that, in short, every favour and indulgence should be shown her, that she could ask or wish for. rte mus Mary was a girl of excellent sense, as well as of exquisite feelings, She had not lived so longin a convent without being perfectly ac- quainted with what sort of happiness and satiafaction is to be found in such places. Nature had formed her for society and pleasure, and a monastery was the last thing in her thoughts. Her mind was full of that liveliness which keeps every passion. on the wing, and her whole appearance showed her born for every enjoyment of life. To a young person of this frame, such a proposal was like a clap of thunder; it bereaved her awhile of sense and motion. She was carried to her cell and confined to her bed for several days. This, however, had no effect on her parents; they Jeft her to the eare of Clementina, fully resolved not to recede from their deter- mination. As soon as they heard that she COMILGDOO) CeVcom