Beadle's Dime Library No. 42 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

The California Detective. 9 _—- ——_— ing about Mr. Van Rensselaer. You're a dear, good little woman yourself, but you mustn’t imagine that everybody else is like you.” ‘T shall not forget, and I shall speak to Mr. Van Renss- elaer very plainly,” the actress replied, in her quiet way. ‘“‘That’s right!” cried Katie, impulsively; ‘‘I confess I don’t like him a bit. He’s one of these proud fellows who seems to imagine that, because he’s got a little money, he’s a great deal better than any one else. Well, I'll run away, so that you can see your visitor. By-by!” and the light-hearted little girl hastened away. Coralie remained for a few moments silent in thought; then she rose and descended to the little parlor of the board- ing-house, where she found David Van Rensselaer awaiting her. He rose at her approach, and bowed in his usually courtly way. ‘‘Mr. Van Rensselaer,” the girl said, and in the three words she contrived to throw such an expression of scornful wonder that it cut the cool and impassive gentleman to the quick. A hot flush came over his face, and his lips quivered as he spoke. “You are doubtless astonished at my visit; permit me to explain,” he said, quite humbly. **'You have deeply wronged me, sir, and I do not think that you will be able to explain that,” Coralie replied, in cold contempt. “‘T wrong you?” Van Rensselaer said, in confusion. 46 Yes.” ** How?” “* You have boasted among your friends of your intimacy with the actress. Like acoward, you spoke falsely. I have no father, no brother to defend me, and you have tarnished the good name which, actress as I am, I prize dearer than life,” The pale cheeks of the girl flushed crimson with hot blood as she spoke. Van Rensselaer bit his lip; his eyes were cast upon the ground, and his face was pale. Seldom in his life had he heard such bitter, cutting words. “* Coralie,” he said, gently, and after quite a long pause, “TY fear that some one has defamed me. ‘True, I have spoken of you; mentioned, with some little pride, 1 confess, that I was honored with your friendship, but I have never boasted of that triendship. I value it too highly to do that. To prove to you how sincere I am in what I say, I now of- fer you my hand and heart. I shall be only too proud to make you my wife.” The girl looked at her suitor for a moment in wonder. She was not prepared for such an offer. “You make me your wife?” she said, slowly. ‘ You forget how different are our stations in life. Your wealthy friends would laugh at you for marrying the actress, the woman who works for her bread with both hands and brain.” ‘Coralie, I care very little for the world’s opinion re- garding my acts,” Van Rensselaer replied. ‘‘ Besides, the opinion of the world regarding those who follow the stage for a living has changed greatly within the last few years. There is no disgrace in honest labor. Think what a posi- tion my love can give you. I come of one of the old New York families, of as good blood as can be found in America. Wealth, social station, all shall be yours. No longer will it be a struggle for you against the world, but ease, rest, af- fluence. Perhaps you may answer that you do not love me; but I am sure that you like me, and in time the love may come,” ““Do you know the story of my life?” the girl asked, “ No.” * Listen to it; them you will be able to decide whether | ean accept your love or not.” “* Sit down, and I will listen.” Van Rensselaer placed a chair by the window for the girl, then brought another for himself, and sat down by her side. ‘*Go on,” he said. ‘Three years ago a poor girl made a living selling fruit in the streets of the city. She was exposed to both insult and temptation. She was friendless, alone. One day, in front of the Tombs, in Center street, a man dared to insult her. A stranger standing by interfered, and with a single blow res- cued her. From that time, that stranger, who was only a poor wretched outcast like herself, befriended her. She learned to love him, for she saw that, despite his vices, he had a noble heart. One night the two, both alone in the world, both friendless, came to an understanding. Two hours afterward, standing together, watching a rude house blazing in flames, the girl was struck by a falling brick and hurled senseless to the earth. When she recovered, she found herself in the hospital. There Heaven took pity on the orphan, and sent a friend to aid her. One of the doctors, an old, gray-haired man, all alone in the world, felt compassion for the friendless girl. She told him her simple story, and, at the end of the three months, when she left the hospital, he offered to provide for her until she could choose a path in life, and by her own exertions gain her bread. A happy thought induced the girl to try the stage. Hersecond father had influence with one of the leading managers, and so secured her a chance to try whether she had talent for acting or not. The attempt was made, and she succeeded. Her after-career you know.” ‘“‘ And the man whom she once ioved?” The girl shook her head. “You do not know whether he is alive or dead?” 4 No. ” *“‘ The chances then are ten to one that he is dead, or he would long since have come forward to claim you.” “But I have changed my name; Doctor Warne did not think that my own was a suitable one for the new life that I chose, and so he re-baptized me as Coralie York.” ** And your true name? ** Susan Wilson.” “* Not quite as pretty a one as the other,” Van Rensselaer said, smiling. ‘‘ Well, I have heard your story, and now I wait my answer.” “But I do not love you, although I will freely confess shat I like you. There is something which bids me like you, despite myself. I can not tell what it is; I only know that the feeling exists,” * And in time that may grow into love.” ‘Perhaps so,” the girl said, doubtfully. **T am willing to risk it if you are.” **Give me three days to decide,” the girl said, slowly. “That is a bargain!” he cried, quickly; ‘and now, Cor- alie, that I stand almost in the light of an accepted lover, I have u favor to ask of you.” “A favor? What is it?” ‘You know that there is going to be a grand masquerade ball at the Academy of Music, next Wednesday evening?” “ Yes. ” * Are you going?’ “I think not—I have not really decided yet.” “‘T wish you would go and allow me to act as your escort. I have a little scheme to put into execution wherein I need your aid. That is the favor I would ask. ‘Why, what do you wish me to do?” “‘ There is an old friend of my father coming to town; he is to visit the masquerade, and I have laid a wager with a friend of mine that, at the ball, I will induce him to leave it and go to this friend’s house. The gentleman is a queer fel- low, full of odd whims and totally unused to society, having spent the better part of his life in the jungles of India You (Eo Gomicbooks