Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

236 ‘Asin heaven,” replied Jane, to whom, iu that faint, the light of reason had returned. “You are the only friend I have on earth, now that he is gone.” “Then leave this place with me, and woe to him if he put forth hand or voice to prevent our departure. Bill, remember your promise, and one day you will have your reward. Grasper, beware we meet not again, or the day of reckon- ing will have come.” 7 Jack drew the arm of Jane through his own, and, with the pistol still grasped in his hand, led her from the room. CHAPTER LXXXI. THE ATTEMPTED RE-CAPTURE—JACK ALARMS THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. THE door, with greasy cord and dirty panels, had closed behind them, and Jack and Jane stood in the dark and silent street, in the cool air of the night, and beneath the starlit canopy. Perhaps never in his life before did Jack feel such a pang of relief as he did when he found himself and companion once more in the open air ; but he did not pause an instant. Drawing her arm more firmly within his own, he hurried her along in the direction of the Mile End-road. He believed, that Bill, rascal as he was, would keep faith with him; yet he could not com- pletely stifle a feeling of uneasiness—a dread that Grasper would endeavour yet to suffer him to escape. | He was anxious to place Jane Slater in security. He had.no fears for himself, but many for her. He knew the unscrupulous character of the man who had brought her husband to an untimely crave, and herself to misery ; and he well knew that he would leave no means untried to prevent him getting her away safe, if any chance presented itself of his so doing. ‘You have said you wiil trust in me,” re- marked Jack, as they went along. ‘““T have, and I will,” she replied. ‘‘ But do tell me how I came in that place with my bitterest foe, for I remember nothing since I stood at the cross-roads this morning.” “YT will tell you alll know another time. At present, Tam all anxiety for your safety. In that house you have just left, some time since resided a poor girl who struggled to keep body and soul together by slop-work. I pitied her and assisted her, and she resides about two miles from here, in a pretty little house, over- looking the greenfields. She owes me a little debt of gratitude, which I know she longs to repay, and would be glad to receive you. Will you go there ? for I fear your own home would be but a poor refuge against the wiles of that villain Grasper.” “Oh, I will go anywhere but back to that fatal spot. I cannot bear to Jook upon it more.” “Then there will I take you. Ellen, I know will receive you kindly, and be to you a sym- pathising friend; for she has known suffering and poverty: and those who have suffered themselves can best feel for the miseries of others.” mem ea ae ae —- <a GH, — So meee Oe Se —_—_—_—_— ET SF SPRING-HEEL D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. ‘“Is she your wife ?” asked Jane. “Wife ?” cried Jack, in surprise at the unex- pected question. “Bless you, no! I am not yet married.” Jane looked up in his face with an inquiring olance. | Jack thought he divined the question thus mutely asked, and said— “Ellen Folder is no more to me than any other woman for whose sufferings my heart can feel. She was poor and friendless—I, rich and thankful. She required aid, and I willincly extended it to her, seeking as my only reward the justification of knowing that I had helped one who could ill help herself. She is a kind, virtuous girl. Wereshe otherwise, Spring-heeled Jack would not ask you to take up your home © with. her.” “Forgive the cruel thought,” said Jane. “TI fear I have wounded your generous heart.” “No,” said Jack ; ‘‘for as the world goes, the thought was natural enough. MHallo! what’s that ?” A murmur of voices floated to their ears from a distance behind them. ty They paused a moment to listen, and our hero. started as he heard his -own title distinctly uttered. | ‘““ Confusion !”’ he exclaimed. ‘They have given the alarm. The whole neighbourhood has been aroused, and are in pursuit of me. Quick! We must reach the open road, where we may be fortunate enough to procure a coach. Were you in safety, I could enjoy some fun with this yelp- ing crowd ; but I dread lest you should again fall into the hands of that ruffianly merchant.” ‘*Oh,heaven! Anything but that—anything but Ps !” cried Jane. ‘Oh! let’s run—let’s run!” Together they hurried on, the sound of voices swelling louder every moment on the night air, and mingling with the tramp of many feet. They reached the Mile-end-road, Jane panting and breathless, but not a vehicle could be seen either way along the road. Jack’s anxiety every moment became greater for the safety of his trembling companion, and a feeling of uneasiness stole over him, lest this new trouble should again affect her weakened brain. “There is no vebicle to be had. JI must con- ceal you somewhere while I lead this rufhanly lot in another direction. Here,’ he added, taking some coins from his pocket and forcing them into her hand, “ take these, and if a coach should pass, order the driver to take you to Holly Cottage. There ask for Ellen Folder, and say I sent you, and I will come after you. Do not fail to do as I bid you. Now, go into this garden, and crouch down behind those bushes, so that you cannot be seen from the road by any one. If we keep on together, they will over- take us, and you will be torn from my protection. I will go back, and draw this mob in another course, so that you can escape. If you can geta coach, do so ; if not, remain concealed here till ITreturn. Do not fear forme. If I stay longer, that fiend may yet triumph.” Leading her into the garden of one of the houses, he left her, and hurried back to the | ICO GOomic <S-€O ee 6 6 eee