Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 206: what you’re looking at

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

a a Oe te eo a 208 SPRING-HEEL D JACK: trust that those who have so kindly given them may never know their want. Sir, I would thank them individually, but of course I cannot, and I must ask you to do so for me.” ‘‘ All right,” said the man ; “and I only hope you may be successful with your tickets. If we produce anything that will require a larger stati, T’ll let you know; but I fear we shall not make any change just yet. There, mind the step. Good night.” | He shook the poor girl by the hand as she crossed the threshold ofhis room, and as, with a orateful look, she turned away, he proceeded about his business without another thought of the matter. With a swelling heart, Mildred hurried from the stage-door into the street, grasping the hand- kerchief which held the subscriptions in her hand. She made her way out of the side street, and under the portico of the front of the theatre she paused for a moment to look at the bill hanging to one of the columns. | That stoppage was fatal to her. As her eyes wandered over the lines thereon printed, a young fellow, of no very prepossessin appearance, stole up quietly behind her, an looking over her shoulder pretended to be read- ing the bill. Mildred moved away, so as to permit him to obtain a better view, when, with a sudden snatch, he tore the handkerchief from her hand, and darting round the column, fled across the road ere she could give utterance to a cry. For a moment she stood bewildered, then, dashing from under the portico in the same direction as the thief had fled, she called aloud— ‘¢ Stop him !—oh, stop him!” But the words had scarce left her lips, than, with a heavy blow she was hurled to the ground, and a chorus of terrified voices rose on the air. CHAPTER LXXITT. MILDRED FINDS A FRIEND IN JACK—SUSPICIONS AROUSED. Wit the shout which rose from so many throats mingled the piercing and terrified scream of Mildred Hendon, as alarmed and horror-struck she found herself beneath the feet of a coach-horse. The driver, powerless to pull up in time, for so suddenly had she sprung from the portico into the roadway, now struggled with all his might and skill to back the animal from over the body of the prostrate girl, and succeeded in preventing the wheels of his vehicle from going over her. But Mildred was injured for all that. One of the animal's fore feet had seriously bruised her forehead, and its hind hoof had inflicted a wound on her hip; and it was with a groan of agony that she suffered herself to be raised from the earth by the many willing hands that were stretched forth to aid her. In the confusion and alarm which naturally prevailed, the thief got off with the subscrip- tions of the employés vf the theatre, no one caring to follow and endeavour to effect his capture. THE TERROR OF LONDON. Poor Mildred! misfortune seemed to have set in upon her. All her joy was turned into sorrow in the short space of one minute, and added to that she was now powerless to work even if she could obtain employment. Carried in the arms of two men she was con- veyed into a surgeon’s, and placed upon a sofa in the surgery, where, on examination, it was discovered that one of the poor girl’s ribs was fractured, and her instant removal to the hos- pital suggested by the doctor. “Oh! takeme home! take me home !” pleaded Mildred. ‘* Do not send me to a hospital.” The doctor assured her that in those institu- tions she would be far better cared for than she possibly could be at home, but Mildred pleaded the harder to be taken home. Finding that she had such an antipathy to a hospital, the surgeon desired a coach to be called, and when the driver made his appear- ance, he desired that his fare might be paid first, stating that he did not care for accident jobs. a Alas!” said Mildred, “I have no money either here or at home. All I had was stolen from me, and it was in endeavouring to pursue the thief that I met with this accident. [ can’t pay you, and if some one will help me I must walk home.” ‘That is impossible,” said the doctor. “TI will pay your fare, coachman,” said a gentleman, who forced himself forward as he spoke. ‘‘ Take-the lady home, and there is your money.” | Mildred looked up, and a ery of recognition would have burst from her lips had not the speaker motioned her to be silent. ‘“Do you know this person, sir?” said the doctor. “* Slightly,” had spoken. ‘ If you will aid me to lift her into this man’s vehicle, I will myself ride on the box with him. Isshe much hurt?” . - “ Bruised temple, and fractured rib. She had better go to the hospital,” said the surgeon. - ‘* Doubtless it would be better if she did so,” said Jack. ‘‘ But if she thinks she would be better cared for at home, I would not urge her. We have all our prejudices.” sucked “ Certainly—certainly,” said the doctor. “ Lift her tenderly, and do not clasp her waist so. — That’s it ; you can carryher thus with ease, and without pain to her,”’ Jack raised the poor girl in his arms, and carried her from the shop to the coach, on the cushions of which he sat her softly down. ‘“1. know where you live,” he said; “and will get on the box and direct the driver. Truly, Miss Hendon, you’re an unfortunate young lady.” Mildred sighed. She felt she was indeed unfortunate; yet, when misfortunes were the heaviest, something seemed to turn up to help her. She could not help looking upon Jack as — something more than a friend. He had saved her from a fate worse than death, and though since that morning she had never set eyes on our hero till now, she had never ceased to think gratefully of him, and his presence at this moment was indeed comforting. 12 AUG67 | MCE] oexe) (E(o) ‘* r i said Jack, for he it was who (S/con a asi = Yee