The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 356: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. “JT do. a secret society.” “tia. Nevertheless, I do know its secrets But how know you this? Ours is _ —how is no matter. Well. these ‘ Brothers of the Cross’ form the centre of all the sworn Apprentices of London.” , ‘‘ They do.” “ You must sound them. Yon must bring them over to our side, and you shall be their leader. Prince Charles has great faith in the Apprentices, and truly, by the aid of their strong arms, we can win London from the enemy.” “ To which enemy I belong,” muttered Ralph. “Never mind. The king will reward you— the king will be your friend. Power, wealth, and happiness, and the smiles of the one you ove.’ Ralph seized the stranger's arm. * The one I love,” cried he, “ what know you of her ?” The unknown laughed. *“‘ Ah {” he exclaimed, “you know not yet half my power, I will whisper you her name,” Oh ! bow Lucy's heart now beat in her flut- tering bosom. What name would it be ? She bent forward at the risk of discovery to listen. It was in vain, The unknown had whispered, and she heard nothing —only saw that Ralph sprang back in wonder—almost in terror. ‘‘ Just Heaven !” he cried, “ you must be more than human! Not to a soul have I breathed the fact of my affection.” ‘‘No, no, I am mortal—mortal as you are; but I have means of discovering things of which you little dream. Well, when will your society meet ?” * To-morrow night.” ‘Good. Then, at midnight, when you break up, I will meet you. You must then give me the names, ages, and political opinions of all there,” “In other words, act the spy upon my friends,” “ You use harshterms. We do not ask you to be a spy,” returned the stranger, ‘‘ we are only asking you to assure yourself of the strength, and number of your friends, before you act. And now [ must away—remember that you are now one of us, and that no one knows of our conversation. If it is revealed to a soul you die,” “Then I canuot save him—I cannot save him,” cried Lucy, preasing her hand over her soft bosom to still the beatings of her over- charged heart. “my tongue is tied, for if I repeat this conversation, it will be the signing of his death warrant.” *‘No one shall know the secret, I swear it,” exclaimed Ralph. “Good. Then to-morrow night I will be with you. Till then—farewell.” So saying, he grasped Ralph's palm in a hand which was as cold as the grave, and dis- appeared among the shadows, hen Lucy closed her window, and Ralph slowly retired to his room, little dreaming what esrs had heard his words, or what heart was aching in consequence. CHAPTER III. AND THE LONDON APPREN- TICES. THE next night came round in due course. All that day Ralph had stuck closely to his work ; but he had, nevertheless, found time to look up tenderly and apeak kindly as Lucy had passed by. Something of the old gentle feeling seemed to brighten his face, and again and again Lucy longed to rush to him and throw herself on his breast and say— ‘Ralph, dearest, I know all—I have heard all—don't go to-night.” But something warned her not to do it—some- thing said, o; watch over him—save him; but do not let him know that you understand his secret,” “ Does he love me?” she thought ; “* or does he only feel remorse at not knowing that I saw his ashen face in the sunset glow last evening.” So weat on the long—long day, and the night, at length, folded its mantle over the city. Then, as Ralph sat at the casement with her and her father, he was pale and restless, and avoided talk, and even avoided her eyes ; sittin near the fire and looking into its flames as if, for all the world, he could see in their leaping forms the history of the dark future, to whose waves he was about to commit himself. ‘‘You seem dull to-night, Ralpb,” said the old jeweller. “Tam; my head aches,” replied the young man. "Iam going out presently for a stroll.” ‘A stroll!” thought Lucy. ‘ Thus he speaks of this terrible journey, which may prove his ruin for ever.” ‘‘Very well, Ralph —very well,” said the old jeweller : “go if you like, but do not be late,” Ralph rose at once and put on his hat, As he did so, Lucy left her seat, and glided out along the paseage to the front door. Here she waited until Ralph came, He came very quickly and started as he saw her there. “Don’t go out to-night, Ralph,” she said, pleadingly looking up with her pretty eyes into is face. ‘Why not, Lucy ?” ‘‘Beoause I feel lonely, dispirited, dull— because I havea presentiment that some evil will happen this night.” He avoided her gaze. ‘¢ What can he mean ?’’ thought he. ‘ Can it be that she suspects that [am going upon an evil errand? No, no; such an idea is absurd.” He turned towards her. ‘¢ Be not alarmed with such thoughts, dearest,” he said, “ I shall soon return.” ‘¢ Then you will not stay even to please me,” she urged, as she looked up in his face. And as she looked there came into his mind memories of stolen meetings, and pleasant sit- tings in the chimney corner, and promises given between kisses. Bat there was in him a stern resolve. He had taken the firat step, and he was resolved that nothing should deter him from proceeding. RALPH LAWSON s< mG) te =) COMED OOKSEEON “%