The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 373: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. 367 “*Don Carlos,’ said the young knight, [bowing gracefully, and saluting,‘ at first methought this mission was for my lord, your father; but the messenger who is called Hubert d ““« Enough,’ said young Carlos, taking the small strip of parchment from the knight’s mailed hand, and which was covered with and secured by full a dozen waxen ends. ‘ Thanks, brave sir, your native wit hath taught thee that all which comes by mes- senger is not intended for my father,’ “The knight smiled grimly, and was about to retire. - «Stay, Sir Knight,’ young Carlos said, opening the note, and eagerly reading it by the ruddy glare of the turret wateh-fire, which, like a blood-red flag, flapped and waved against the rapidly darkening sky. ‘Stay, good sir, stay; methinks this note requires instant answer. Would you——’ * “Tam at your bidding, my good lord,’ the knight replied. ‘The messenger requires an answer, so he told me, and with immediate dispatch would post away again.’ “<« Excellent fellow! Brave Hubert, my heart yearns towards him for his fidelity and love,’ young Carlos said, with a countenance flushed with joy. “ ¢Shall I wait for an answer, sir ?’ the knight asked. **¢ One word from me is all sufficient. Tell him not to tarry on the road, and my message is, that I will fly, at the proper moment, to the place that is named,’ “<¢That you will fly at the proper moment to the place that is named, sachis your verbal message, ’ Don Carlos?’ ** Tt is; and you might add, as the matter is of moment, that I will write and send a messenger forthwith, but that at the moment my impatience is too great.’ “ The knight bowed and retired. ‘For a few moments neither Carlos nor young Spinola spoke; but walked slowly and silently to their chamber, “Carlos cast himself upon a downy lounge, and by the lamplight read again and again the precious message which had been brought to him, “His eyes seemed to dance with joy, and his face was ISLE, with EOUENED * * * “Tong before morning broke, while even yet the stars struggled with approaching twilight, young Don Carlos arose from his sleepless couch. ‘‘He went into the apartment of his dear and faithful young friend, Spinola, “He sleeps sweetly,’ said Carlos, thoughtfully, and with a smile. “‘No one would dream of his faithfulness to me; yet Spinola believes in dreams, and that is childish.’ “¢T do not sleep, Don Carlos,’ said the youth, opening his eyes ; ‘nor do I lay too much stress upen the importance of dreams.’ “ After a pause, he added— “You call it childish and silly to believe in the warnings which may visit us in sleep, but Z do not. If glad tidings ever come to me in slumber, I heed them not ; but, if I am warned of danger, I always heed the message, whatever it be.’ “ Young Spinola’s manner was so unusually calm, composed, and strange, that young Carlos felt a sort of sorrow for his companion’s fears. “<But you told me, Spinola, that good Hubert would never return,’ "*T did so.’ “<And this warning you say occurred in a dream ?’ nn rnrnnnnerern nnn Nn SSDS Tt did.’ "Then for onee you must confess yourself wrong.’ *** 7 do not, Don Carlos,’ og No,’ * €T do not.’ “*But Hubert not only returned, as you know ; but has gone forth again on another message for me to the fair Elvina.’ ** Did you see him ?” “¢ See him ?”’ *** Yes, see him.’ «JT did not,’ “*Then why still persist in saying that my pre- dictions are still untrue ?’ ‘“* Did he not arrive at the castle gates? Did I not Ecemre his message and send another? Did I not?’ “*Did you see him, I ask again?’ said young Spinola. “** 7 did not.’ “<Then I am still right, for Hubert has not re- turned.’ “It was his ghost, then.’ ‘*¢*}t might have been his ghost, or anything you © may please to fancy ; but it was not Hubert !’ ** Not Hubert.’ cee No,’ ‘** Then who else ?’ § That I know not,’ *¢A friend, think you?’ *** Perhaps so.’ ‘** Or an enemy ?’ ‘“** Possibly an enemy in the guise of a friend,’ «Impossible, I cannot—I will not believe, it Spinola.’ ‘*§ As you please, Don Carlos.’ “After another pause, young Spinola laid his hand gently on the shoulder of Don Carlos, and said— ““¢ Garlos, did I ever wrong you?’ «No, never.’ Or ever advice ?’ “You did not. I prized your friendship more than that of any person living.’ é‘ ‘Spinola smiled, as he said again— ; “*Tid I ever refuse to accompany you im any expedition ?’ “ «You never have.’ ‘¢¢ Tn your hunting excursions, where traps were laid for you by the native Mexican.princes, have I always fought by your side?’ «Yes, ever.’ ; «And yet, for all this, Don Carlos, although in a measure we have been reared and grown up to- gether, I find of late that you have distrusted me, spurned my advice, and looked coldly upon me,’ ‘© Nay, Spinola, you wrong me.’ 6‘ No, Carlos, I do not; you do not love me as you did.’ “Carlos did not reply. ‘“‘¢T know you do not, and because I have always dissuaded you from continuing this attachment with Elvina.’ a «* Mention not her name in words 80 cold, Spi- hola,’ said Carlos, passionately. ‘I love her dearly, devotedly, and almost to distraction.’ “¢] know you do—you have always doné 80. But what of that?’ ; «“* What of that, say you? Why, she loves me in return,’ ‘©¢ Phat may or may not be.’ *** Do you doubt it?’ stl do. give you other than brotherly oO MICLOOLK CO CO