The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

ee To the armourer himself Harold had of course told the occurrences of the past two weeks, but he had begged his favourite apprentice to keep them bourd up, as it were, in his own heart. There seemed sound reason why he was afraid of Quelf, or rather afraid of those whom Quelf by his diadlerie had made his friends. “Let not Quelf ever know that you have told me,” said the armourer; “and above all keep the secret of your journey from Alicia.” “She favours not your cause,” returned Harold. “It is strange that father and daughter should be divided in politics.” The armourer looked grave. “It does; it does seem strange,” said Lealie, “as strange as that I whose character you know should mnwurder people in cold blood in the streets! Both mysteries will be cleared up some day.” Harold shuddered as the armourer spoke. , This was the one shadow that darkened his ife, The fearful scenes he had witnessed in the street—the ghastly face of the murdered man —the blood-stained form of the armourer—the sudden attack of the cavalier on the second night, and the faintness, the recovery from which brought before his eyes safe and sound the man whom he had beheld stricken to the earth a moment before—these had made an ish- pression on his mind which no kindness from the armourer could quite efface. | That there was a mystery—a wild, strange myatery— Harold could see, and it was for this reason, therefore, that he was willing to cast from him, as far as possible, all evil thoughts in regard to his master, and to look upon him as one of the victims of a terrible secret. On this evening the armourer sent for Harold into his room. . . “Harold,” he said, “there is some cial work to be done—some fine work which 1 wish you todo. Can you sit uplate? Quelf will aid you.” “ Yes, sir, I will sit up.” “Good! I knew you would say yes,” re- turned Leslie, “ you always do. There is a curious device to be worked on a plate in the centre of a fine coat of mail, I will fetch the design.” — As he spoke, he quitted the room, and Ettie, who had been sitting knitting quietly while her father was speaking, looked up. “You have been a soldier since you were with me here last time?” she said. “Yes, and so hard at work since I returned that I have taken my meals in the armoury instead of at your table,” returned Harold. * You wear a brooch, I see,” continued the young girl, fidgetting with her fancy work ner- vously, and looking down blushingly. “I sup- pose it was given yuu by the beautiful lady whose life you saved at St. David’s !” Harold colored violently. “T do not understand you,” hesasid ; “I knew not that you had heard of my adventures. But if it offends you that I should wear this brooch, I will cast it from me, and fling it now, through this casement, into the public street.” He plucked the brooch which Lady Blanche Marcheville bad given him from his bosom, as he spoke, and approached the window. 32 THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. ~ cast ay a NOTICE.—With our next Number will be given awa the PRIZE OHEQUE ; and with Number 6 ) will be Presented Gratis another splendsa Picture in Seven Colors. Her gentle hand was on his arm in a mo- ment, | “Stay, Harold,” she said, in a low, tender voice; “God forbid that Z should wish you to . t made to you for your bra and honour. But hush! here comes my father.” The gentle hand preased his arm lightly, and then withdrew itself to its knitting. But the simple incident had left Harold's heart in a flutter of contending emotiona Young as he was, he felt that Ettie Leslie loved him. ‘Well, my young armourer,” cried the giant, jovially, “‘here is your work. The ays, alas! of knighthood are over, but these secret coats of unflinching steel are becoming more common than ever, Cromwell (heaven save him !) might wear one now with advantage since every hound’s bark is against him. Bat come. - See what a strange device, Ettie. A dove pursued by a hawk! Above them an eagle! Near him a vuiture. And the motto— ‘From first to last—Love—Memory—Death !’" _ Ettie shuddered. - “‘ It is a horrible motto !” shesaid, “For whom is this secret coat of steel?’ oy The armourer shook his head. . “As soon might a father confessor tell the secret of the confessional as J reveal such a secret as this,” said Frank Leslie, ‘Now, Harold, are you ready ?” ~ Yea, gir." = | ‘Then to the workshop with me, lad.” | . No more was said till they reached the door of the workshop, when the armourer stooped down, whisperin ¢— . “ Remember one thing: Quelf does not un- derstand for whom this coat of mail is destined ; and, as he can’t read, he will be none the Weer Red , a a os a : The information necessary was soon afforded, and Harold and the Dwarf were left alone in. the workshop. 7 . For two hours they worked steadily. At the end of that time Quelf said, looking up sharply in Harold's face— | - ©Qan you finish this yourself?” “J could if I tried. Are you tired?” | “I wish to go.” ae “Very well; go, I'd sooner be without your company.” ' “ Good,” said the Dwarf, leaving off work at once ; .“‘ how long shall you be at work ?” “Why do you wish to know?” | , - “Qh,” answered the mis-éhapen: traitor ; “only if you work late Master Leslie may suspect I did not aid you sufficiently.” - “Never mind that. If you wish to go, go; I can work better without you.” - Quelf grunted some unintelligible answer, and departed. “Tam on the eve of some new discovery,” thought Harold ; “this treacherous viper will re- turn when he thinks Iam gone, and no doubt lay a new trap for me. I will: hasten with my work, and lie in wait for him.” As soon, therefore, as he had completely fixed on the mysterious device, he put out the light, and concealing himself, awaited the return of his malignant enemy. a : “ ‘ GOES O16S CO