Beadle's Dime Library No. 42 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 ** But will we not require some disguises?” the old gentle: man asked. ** We can stop at a costumer’s and get some dominoes and masks on our way up; we pass right by one,” Bishop an- ‘*T suppose we might as well set out at once.” swered. ** Certainly.” The two left the hotel, summoned a carriage. and drove toward the Academy of Music. On their way thither, they stopped at a costumer's, and procured two black dominoes and masks. When the two, after donning their disguises, made their entry into the Academy, they found that the floor was al- ready well filled with groups of gayly-dressed maskers. ‘fA brilliant scene, isn’t it?” Bishop remarked, taking the mask from his face, as if to gaze with more freedom upon the ever-changing throng. ** Yes, quite dazzling,” the old man replied, and as he gazed upon the merry groups, his attention was attracted by a couple passing near him, a man and woman, both in b.ack, and on the back of the man’s sable domino was a large red heart. The two were chatting gayly together; a few words spoken by the woman’s lips reached the ears of the old man. With a quick, nervous motion, Hartright laid his hand upon the arm of Bishop. “Come, let us walk onward,” he said, a strange nervous- ness visible in his manner. ‘* Certainly,” Bishop replied, wondering at the tone of the old man. Hartright followed directly in the wake of the couple in black. Bishop noticed the red heart on the back of the man’s domino, and a half-smile came upon his face. A few minutes’ walk convinced him that hiscompanion was follow- jng the two. The two in black did not go far, but turned and retraced their steps, coming almost face to face with the old savant and Bishop. The man in black shot a quick glance at Bishop as he passed him—a glance seemingly of recognition. The savant did not notice the look; he had eyes only for the wo- man. Three times up and down the hall, the old man and Bishop followed in the footsteps of the two in black. The old gentleman seemed to be getting more and more nervous. Bishop determined to hazard a question. ‘““You seem to have taken an interest in that couple in black; do you know them?” he asked. ‘*T don’t know—I can’t tell,” the old man answered, ner- vously; ‘‘ it seems impossible, and yet—” Again he fixed his eyes on the woman, and sighed deeply. ‘‘T don’t understand how you could recognize either of them,” Bishop said, puzzled at the strange behavior of the old man. ‘‘ The masks conceal their faces and black gowns their figures.” ‘“‘ As the girl passed me, I heard her speak,” the old man replied. ‘It is hardly twenty years since I have heard that voice, yet I recognized the tones in an instant.” Bishop was thunderstruck. 4 What the deuce does it all mean?” he muttered betweem his teeth. ‘‘ How can he know the woman?” ‘*T would give a great deal to be able to speak with her, and satisfy the suspicion that has arisen in my breast. Do you think I shall be able to speak with her? Do you know of any means by which I can gain five minutes’ conversation with her? I would willingly pay a drop of my blood for each word, old as I am.” A strange excitement had seized the old man, which com- pletely puzzled Bishop; yet that sstute gentleman rather prided himself on his skill in guessing motives, Beadle’s Dime Library. ooo ** Oh, I don’t think there will be much difficulty about that,” the New Yorker replied. ‘‘ There is a certain license allowable in a masquerade.” ‘‘ For Heaven’s sake get me a chance to speak with her if it be possible!” cried the old man, hastily. ‘‘ Well, I'll try,” Bishop said, more and more amezed ‘* And now I look at the gentleman I have an idea that | know him. Just wait; when they turn I'll go forward and speak to him, Then, when I draw him aside, you can im prove the chance to speak to the lady.” ‘‘That will do,” the old manu said, hurriedly. When the two turned in their promenade and came face to face with Bishop and the old man, the New Yorker barred the way of the gentleman so completely wrapped in the black domino. ‘* Can I have a word with you, sir!” he asked. The man in black bowed, whispered a few words in the ear of the lady, then stepped a little apart with Bishop, while Hartright, improving the advantage, slowly approached the masked woman. : ‘Old Nick himself is playing your game to-night,” Bishop said, in the ear of the other, as they drew apart from the rest. ‘* What do you mean?” asked the disguised man, and the voice betrayed David Van Rensselaer. ** Why, he’s got an idea iuto his head that he knows thin young female that’s with you.” ‘* Knows her?” asked Van RonsseJaer, in astonishment. ‘Yes; he wants to speak with her; she’s your decoy, 1! suppose?” ‘‘T hope so; but ske hag not yet consented. Of courx she knows nothing of wy scheme, and th‘aks it is only s joke.” ‘“‘ Hallo!” exclainsed Bishop; ‘‘ see! tue twe are in vom versation.” CHAPTER IX, IN THE SNARE. Tue lutly, Van Rersselaer’s companion, who was no othe than Cvoralie York, had remained motionless, gazing with listless eyes upon the motley throng which surrounded her, when she suddenly became conscious that a tall stranger, clad in a black domino, had approached her as if with the wish to speak. She raised }er eyes in astonishment and made a slight movement as if she would retreat from his advances. ““Do not fear, lady,” the stranger said, removing hit mask from his face and revealing the gray beard and bronze¢ features of the savant. ‘‘I wished to speak with you very much. I trust you will pardon the liberty that I, an en- tire stranger, have taken in addressing you. A moment since when you passed me, busy in conversation, the tones of your voice fell upon my ears; those tones brought back to me the memories of days long since buried in the grave of time. that I knew you—not as you now are, a woman—but as & child.” Coralie listened in astonishment. Her first thought on the approach of the stranger had been to avoid him, but when she listened to his words and beheld his calm and noble face, she saw at once that she had nothing to fear. “You think that you have known me?” she asked. “ Yes; but far away from this great city, many years ago.” “‘And you recognized me by my voice?” aa Yes. ” “But are you sure that I am the persen you take me for?” ‘*No, not sure but let me sce your face and then I am The thought came instantly into my mind . (E(0) Gomichbooks t ’ '