Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

oe a ROSE MORTIMER ; OR, tering like a box of dominoes freshly opened. ‘* What a fool I’ve been !” A final glance atthe house, another long one at the window, and then Mr. Chowler started off to get warm —and to town. He had not advanced far along the road when he fancied that he perceived a faint will-o’-the-wisp- looking glimmer of light flickering from a distance. “* What’s that ?” With a started look Mr. Chowler arrested his pro- gress. The light grew plainer. Then it was advancing towards him. What could it mean ? Presently the light grew more distinct, and he could see something move. The light he could now perceive was in the hand ef a woman, And, by all that was wonderful, the same woman again | “Tis she !”? muttered poor Chowler, turning pale again, ‘Alone? Nol”? Behind the woman came two men, One of them carried a ladder. The other held a long cloak. What could it mean ? But they were rapidly approaching, and Chowler would be observed. . Rousing himself again, the little manager moved back slowly. He was afraid that, having allowed them to draw’so near they might observe him. He walked back, with his eyes fixed upon the ad- vancing light. In his progress he came upon a gap in the hedge. He subsided into it, and stood motionless, never dar- ing to move—scarcely to breathe. He had barely taken his station here when they passed him. So close did they brush his hiding-place that the woman’s skirts actually touched him. What could they be after? A wild suspicion crossed the little manager’s mind. A suspicion which was realisedin the space of a few minutes. They drew up at the inn. Beneath her window. Mr. Chowler’s heart went faster. He- found that he had suddenly grown much warmer than all his exertions could have made him, He looked on affrightedly. Judge, then, if his fears had been so greatly ex- cited by what he saw so far, what must have been his alarm when he saw one of the men place the ladder against the house beneath Rose Mortimer’s winow ! The woman held the lantern up to survey the win-' dow. .; Now he made another discovery. The whole of the party wore masks. What could it mean? That he soon saw. ‘‘Go on,’’ whispered the woman holding the lan- tern. ‘‘ We will wait here.” “Very well.” ‘* But if she wakes ?”’ said the man. “The cloak.” ** Good.” All was so silent around that Mr. Chowler heard this distinctly. He was in a great fright. He had no idea what to do, or how to avert this dire calamity. “Take the cloak with you.” “Give it to me, then.” . The cloak was thrown over his arm, and he began to ascend the ladder. SA Poor Chowler was half beside himself with fear and apprehension. We are bound to say that it was more upon Rose’s account than his own. The men had taken half a dozen steps. Chowler could no longer endure it. At all hazards—at any personal risk—he must prevent this. The man made another step up to the window. ** Thieves!’? shouted Chowler. The man stepped upon the ladder. **Murder and robbery !’”? shouted Chowler, much louder. Down came the man with a run. ‘* What’s that ?” Nk *‘Hush! We are observed.” ‘Away !”? ‘To Chowler’s inexpressible delight, they did not attempt to search for him. The twomen took the ladder, one ateach end, and beat aprecipitate retreat. The woman led the way. Chowler could not tell in which direction they lad disappeared. ; Truth to tell, he did not much care either. Enough for him that they had gone. ~ For some time he did not dare to venture forth from his hiding-place. | At length he grew bolder. He peered out. All was quiet again—thatis, the three black masks were gone. Then a window was opened inthe house and a head peeped out. It was a night-capped head, but Chowler could not say if it was Rose’s, never having seen our heroine in that snowy head gear. “‘ Who’s there?” This decided it. The voice he well knew did not belong to Rose Mortimer. ‘‘ Who’s there?” repeated the voice. there ?”’ Chowler longed to reply, but felt that his life would be endangered. é He was by no means assured that the three masks had left the spot, although they were not to be seen just at present. He allowed the woman at the window—whoever it might be—to call without offering an answer. The head was withdrawn. * That’s one,” said Chowler,” and they won't at- tempt it again.” . Comforting himself with this assurance, he escaped from his hiding-place. He would greatly have liked to give the inmates of the tavern warning. © No matter—for to-night he had preserved Rose Mortimer. On the morrow he would put her upon her guard. With a lingering look at the window, he one more departed. He hastily retraced his steps along the road. This time he saw no light as he had seen before. No will-o’-the-wisp lantern to startle the life out of him. But the adventures of the night were not yet con- cluded for him, He walked along at a brisk pace — but again drew up short. He turned once more to the house, with a lingering longing look. Some hidden power—some secret impulse stronger than his resolution—urged him to return to the house, Something terrible was about to happen—a worthy end to the dark doings of that awful night, ** Anybody i CoOMmmceooolks