The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

112 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. “What ! can it be Mr. Alpin, who lives so near my mother’s house?” she said, in surprise. *¢ And what do you here, dressed up so grandly ?”’ she enquired, gaily. ‘“‘ Why, I took you for one of the finest gentlemen in the land,” ‘Aye, Jennie, but you are mistaken, you see. “Like you, we officers have to enact many parts in our time. You on the stage dress and act like village girls, or countesses at times. Fine feathers make fine birds.”’ “T see, I see,” said Jennie, laughing. are acting the ‘gentleman’ to-night ?”’ ‘“* Exactly.” “ But for what purpose ?” “IT cannot tell you precisely ; but do you know that old fellow who spoke to you a minute ago ?”’ “How do you know I spoke to any gentleman just now ?” said Jennie, with an arch smile. “‘ Because I was watching you.’’ ‘‘ If you were, you did not see any harm.” ‘““T am aware of that, my pretty little pert puss,’’ said Alpin. ‘‘ As luck would have it, I have known you too long to suppose anything of the kind, for, rough as I am, [ would strike any man to the earth that I saw insulting you.”’ After a pause, he added, “But do you know that old buck, on your word ?”’ “On my word Ido not. All I know is, that he has been to this house very often, and every time he has thrown me a bouquet ; that’s all.” “Ob! he has, has he? Well, now, I'll tell you something ; listen tome. He’s not so innocent as he looks.” “Oh ! I don’t know,” said Jennie, laughing ; ‘‘he spoke to me very kindly, and offered me a situation in his house, if I’d accept it.” “Why didn’t you?” ‘‘ He said he was sorry to see such a nice girl as I am treading the stage for a living, and, as I have said, offered to give me a situation in his own house.”’ “But, as it happens, he ain’t got any house,’ said the detective. ‘Do you see, he’s only a rich old humbug, after all,” ‘What !” said Jennie, indignantly. “Do you mean to say he meant me harm and deceit, then?” ‘“ Of course he did, and I can prove it.” “How? Ishould like to have satisfaction out of him,” “Will you follow my advice?” ‘“In what way ?” “If you do as I tell you, you shall not only have good sport out of the old rat, but will be well paid beside. No harm can come to you; I'll take very good care of that, and, moreover, you will never regret following my advice,” said Alpin, in earnest tones. “When shall I see you again?” asked Jennie, “To-morrow night at this time.” ‘‘ Well, I will; I’m ripe for a bit of a lark with the old rascal,” she said, gaily laughing, The music now began to play again more noisily than before, The “Fairy Bower” was coming to a close, and Jennie Jackson had to obey the eall-boy’s com- mand, and be ready at the wings for the final tableau, Standing at one of the Wings, and looking on with eyes staring at, and absorbing the pretty Jennie in her graceful motions in the dance, was old Schmidt. He sighed, and looked and looked, and sighed until he felt his old vile heart bumping against his “So you sides with violent emotion, which he in his dotage mistook for love. “Well, how did you get on, my fried?” said Mr, Fairplay. ‘‘By Jove! you have made a conquest of the prettiest girl in the whole ballet.” “7?” said Schmidt, in surprise. “Yes; you.” “ You are joking, my merry friend.” “ By Jove, ’'m not though. That girl you were talking to just now confessed in my hearing that you were the nicest gentleman she ever talked to in her life.”’ ‘‘Nonsense. Why, she turned her nose up at me.” “You are mistaken ; it was only girlish bashful- ness and timidity.” “Tf I thought so, begad, I’d address her at once ; I've never seen such a pretty creature in my life before.” “And so clever !”’ “Yes ; and so voluptuous in her style.” ‘‘ Virtuous as an angel, you can see that.” ‘‘T do. What asuperb little beauty she’d make with silk dresses and plenty of money.’’ “True; but I wouldn’t make advances too openly.” “ How do you mean ?” ‘“T would write to her.” “‘That wouldn’t be a bad plan,” “The best in the world. Gammon her into think- — ing of matrimony ; get her out, have a champagne supper, and—— “Just what I was thinking, Fairplay. No mar- riage in the matter, you know, only a——” ‘Exactly ; I know what you mean, make her a pleasant toy to beguile an hour or two away ; dress her well, take apartments for her, and when you are tired cast her off upon the town, that’s what we gentlemen always do; it’s all a pretty ballet girl is fit for.” “You are aman of the world, I see,” said old Schmidt, hideously grinning ; “‘yow know a thing or two, I perceive.” ‘‘And you, too, my gay old friend,” said Fairplay, jocosely slapping Flint on the back. ‘Well, by Jove, I think I wilZ have a little bit of fun with this pretty wench. If I only knew her name and residence I would write. “Do so ; J will find out all that for you.” “Suppose we come again, then, to-morrow night ?” said Schmidt. ** With all my heart.” The two friends had a bottle of wine together in the bar of the theatre, and left the temple of Thespis arm in arm together. “Pve got the old ’un tight this time,” said the detective to himself. ‘ Jennie Jackson shall worm all the secrets out of him, or my name is not Alpin. Where are you shoving to?’ said he, to a tall, gaunt, half clerical-looking individual who came out of the theatre at the same moment as them- selves, “Where are you shoving to?” he said again, in & quick, angry manner. Schmidt turned his head. He looked deadly pale as he said, half aloud. “ Good heavens! that was Jonathan |” ‘‘ Who?” the detective asked, quickly. ‘‘ No one, my friend, it was only a passing word,” It vas Jonathan |! The master of Bromley Hall was equally thun- derstruck at the uplooked-for meeting. He went on to the dark side of the street, and followed old Flint home with noiseless, wary steps ! LE GE COMME IOOKS. eC)