The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

i ~-— THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. 21 He clung to the balcony, and for a second swung between earth and air! With a terrible struggle he exerted all his strength, and Nelly helped him to climb. ‘He secured a firmer hold, and soon placed one knee outside the railing. This saved him, He clutched the balcony rail afresh with a grip of iron, and nearly wrenched it out of its place in the stone-work. He was safe | In an instant he and Nelly were clasped in each other’s arms, and there, in the silence of that room, and beyond all hearing or prying eyes, Frank told again his tale of love in her not unwilling ear, Nelly leaned her head upon his breast, and with many kisses sealed the vow “to love him, and him only until death |” CHAPTER X, FRANK’S PARTING WITH NELLY LANCASTER—THE RESOLVE—A GIRL’S LOVE AND DEVOTION—THE SHIP’S DEPARTURE, IT must not be supposed that Frank and Nelly Lan- caster were allowed to remain long undisturbed, during their loving interview in that snug quiet room of the English Seminary, for it must be confessed that they were several-times disturbed. During their conversation Nelly confessed to him her fears that he was beset and surrounded by many enemies, the chief of whom was Joel Flint. She knew not why, but she felt alarmed for Frank’s fate, and shed many many tears when he told her that he and his young band had resolved to join Garibaldi, and help to fight his battles for liberty and freedom ! How Frank and his young affianced bride con- trived to escape from the Seminary that evening, and the exciting adventure which ensued must remain for another chapter to tell. | Suffice it for the present, however, to say that they did manage to elude the vigilance of the master and mistress as well as the many teachers of the Seminary, and that Nelly went forth to the steam-boat pier to see her lover and his friends depart, A sorrowful and painful moment for Nelly was her parting with Frank Ford. Yet he kissed her oft, and wiped her tears away, promising at the same time to write to her constantly, and inform her of all that happened. ‘“T know that I shall achieve honour and dis- tinction, Nelly,” said he, “and that ere long will return safe and sound to claim you for my own, and at the same time to shame my old uncle, who has ever predicted the very worst career for me,’ “ But what if you are hurt, Frank?” sighed Nelly. “Perhaps in some far distant battle-field you may lay wounded and dying, and with no one to assist or tend you.” ‘Neyer fear, dear one,” said Frank, placing his arm tenderly round her slim and tapered waist, “ never fear, My Own one, when dangers are createst, I will think of you, who art my angel and guiding star, As long as you love and pray for me, no great harm can befall me.’ «‘ Why not let me come, Frank?” Nelly asked, with a flushed cheek. You, darling i? “Yes, meé.’ “You are but a girl, and would quail before the many scenes of strife and bloodshed which I shall have to go through,” “You mistake me, Frank. I should not quail or tremble. Iam an English girl, remember, and though but a girl, Iconld face and encounter any danger while with you.” “It must ot be, Nelly,” said Frank, with a choked utterance, - “‘No; it must not be, I know that you love me, and dearly too; but if a amnele hair on your sweet head were harmed through me, I should die with shame and remorse. Come, Nelly dear, think no more of this your mad intention. Remain true to me, continue your studies at the Seminary, and wait patiently till I return,” “But why go at all?” “ Why, Nelly?” “ Yes, why ?” ‘Am I not dependent on my uncle for education ? Am TI not looked upon by him as a burden? Iam called a poor beggarly orphan by all who know me, and shall I longer remain a recipient of his charity, or the charity of any one, while my heart prompts me to seek my own fortune, and achieve botha name and fame?” “ Do not go,” still Nelly sighed. ‘“ Do not, Frank, run into these dangers for my sake ; do not. D “T must, Nelly. I shall return one of these days, honoured and loved by all. Would you not love me all the more for that? (‘If I de not,” Frank thought to himself, as he deeply sighed, ‘ ‘T shall die upon the battle-field. i) « Besides,” Nelly, he continued, “you are rich, Your father is an immensely wealthy banker. He hates the very sound of my name,” “I know he does, Frank; but I do not,” said Nelly, in a sweet voice. ‘‘T know that, my own one,” said Frank, “and it is only to prove to all that I ‘love you for ‘yourself, and not for money, that I now go. It is to show to all that I am worthy of your love that I thus jeopardise my life to gain honour and renown,’ ‘Have you heard the news ?”’ Nelly asked. * What news ?” ‘Before my father sent me hereI heard it said that Joel Flint was going to be admitted into my father’s bank, and that ere long he would become one of the partners.” ‘‘T guessed as much,” said Frank, biting his lip. ‘Oh, that I were rich, so that I might be always near 'to you, Nelly !” he sighed ; ‘“‘ but the fates for- bid. But come, there is no time to lose ; the signal is up and flying at the mast-head ; the vessel will depart ere many minutes, Nelly, dear. Painful as it is, we must part; all my friends you see yonder are gathering around the companion-ladder ; one more kiss—one long and loving embrace, Nelly and then——!”’ Even as he spoke, Nelly fell into his arms and nearly fainted, * x * * Bu Within five minutes Frank and his friends as- cended the vessel’s side, and ere long the steamer gracefully glided from her berth and } put to sea. Loud were the cheerings of the young Garibaldi- ans, but Frank stood upon the paddle-box waving his handkerchief, and long after they had left the wharf he could see Nelly standing there weeping and sobbing. “ He will not let me go,” sighed Nelly, sobbing, as she stood looking after the steamer with stream- ing eyes, “he will not let me go because I ama girl. But,” she said, after a long pause, “I will go ! Yes, I too will share his danger, but he shall never know it.” The parting indeed was painful to both; but (© Spe et ois co S ©