Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 192: what you’re looking at

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186 ROSE MORTIMER ; OR, a a i the poor girl. ‘* Make the most of it, for I swear that it is short-lived.’’ , ‘Thank you.” And with the most elaborate politeness the Pet Parson saluted his late lover and left the green-room. As soon as he was gone Rose could hear a deep sob escape the excited Kate Clitheroe. Then a fall. At all risks now our heroine came forward to the girl’s assistance, She lay stretched upon the ground in a strong fit of hysterics. P ‘‘ Stage waiting for Miss Clitheroe,” shouted the call boy. The stage had to wait. * * te * *% % Upon the following Sunday Rose Mortimer and Blanche Bowerini were at church to hear the Reverend Wilfred Ravenscroft, alias the ‘“‘ Pet Parson,” deliver a sermon. His latest conquest amongst the petticoats was the general theme of conversation, and it was said that he would not venture to appear on the Sunday. However, Mr. Ravenscroft showed that he was per- fectly indifferent about the opinion of his congrega-~ tion, for he advanced with more than ordinary bold- ness, and even selected a text which might be sup- posed to bear in some slight degree upon the late scandal, A glance of surprise went round the congregation, but of course they could take no further notice of it. acne Bowerini and Rose Mortimer sat side by side, ‘* Bold !”” whispered the former. Rose nodded. . ‘‘ The man is utterly without a heart,’’ ‘* Tt would seem so.” ‘¢ And see here who has come in,”’ It was Kate Clitheroe. She was pale and grief-stricken. The last few hours had effected such a change in the poor girl’s appearance as to excite the universal commiseration of the congregation. Singularly enough, she did not appear to court that retirement which one would have imagined. Gn the contrary, she placed herself opposite the pulpit, so that the first person the Pet Parson would see upon entering it would be herself. Until the Reverend Wilfred Ravenscroft appeared in the pulpit he had not observed the unhappy girl. Then she appeared almost to spring out of the ground, and:seemed to have eyes for no one but him. She sat there staring fixedly upon him asif un- conscious that there was a numerous congregation in the church. ‘“‘ Poor girl!’ whispered Rose to her companion, ‘Oh! doesn’t she look bad ?”’ «¢ She does, indeed.” “And there is a strange expression in her face which I cannot make out.’’ ‘* It means mischief.”’ ** It looks like it. . And so evidently thought the reverend gentleman, for as he glanced downwards at this very instant his eye lighted upon the upturned face. ‘He coloured visibly and stammered in his sermon. ‘Ah! villain !’? thundered the girl. “You feel the same triumph now ?”’ The whole congregation were upon their feet at once. A dead silence prevailed for an instant. Then the church was startled more than before by the loud report of a pistol. The curate was seen to stagger and fall forward. A cry burst from his lips, and all was over. Kate Clitheroe rushed madly from the church, still grasping the pistol which had murdered a minister of the Gospel in a place of holy worship. Justice was done. Kate Clitheroe undone. The Fet Parson was dead, and his murderer was his victim. An inquest was held upon the body, and subse- quently the unhappy murderess was brought to her trial, at which she was proved to be of unsound mind. She was, therefore, put under restraint for the term of her natural life. This tragical episode scarcely proved the proverbial nine days’ wonder. A week, and it was forgotten. CHAPTER LXXIII. ROSE AND HER LOVER—THE DRAPER GALLANT— BOUQUETS AGAIN—A PROFOSAL—SLIGHT—THE DRAPER’S VENGEANCE — THE LETTER — THE INSULT—HOW ROSE RETALIATED AND ASTO- NISHED THE DRAPER. SuortTuy after the events narrated in the pre- ceding chapter Rose Mortimer found, to her infinite amusement at first, but finally to her extreme annoyance, that she had made another conquest. This time it was a ‘‘ knight of the yard measure,” i.e., a linendraper of the town, who found himself desperately caught by our fair heroine’s charms. Rose saw him in the pit night after night, casting ardent glances towards her, and full of the very mad- dest love which ever inspired a mortal draper. She confided the conquest to Blanche Bowerini, and the two girls had a hearty laugh at the worthy draper’s expense. *¢ He’s slow to make himself known,” said Rose to Blanche one evening as she was dressing after the last piece. ‘¢ Perhaps,’’ said Blanche Bowerini. know the old saying, ‘ Slow but sure.’ ’’ ‘6 And you think that it will answer in his case?” 6é Yes,”’ ‘6 We shall see.”’ “You are all impatience.” “For what ?” “¢ Declaration.” “Not all,”.said Rose, laughing. bit anxious, I confess.”’ - “‘ Rose, Rose dear,’ said the other girl, “I fear you are a terrible flirt.” “Nay, I protest I have not looked at the odious little monster.” ‘¢ Then how know you that he is always looking at you, dear ?’” “Eh? Oh—why—” Blanche Bowerini burst into a fit of laughter, in which her companion joined heartily, after an in- effectual effort to keep a sober countenance. *‘ Ah! Rose, Rose dear,’’ said Blanche, “‘ you are playing with the poor man’s feelings. But beware. He might catch you yet.” *¢ You think so ?”’ *¢T think it very likely.” ' a4 Why {#44 < *¢ Because I really fancy that even now he is not altogether indifferent to you.”’ ** Blanche, my dear, you are a teasing, aggravating, satirical little monster, and I’ll soon prove to you what small work I’ll make of this draper.’’ “Very good, dear,” said Blanche. ‘* But I don’t believe that you’ll have the heart to refuse the dear little man anything.” ‘* But you “Just a little Gomicoook