English fiction -- 19th century; Horror tales; Penny dreadfuls
Beside a splendid mirror, in which she could see herself from head to
foot, she perceived a massive bell-pull, with fine bullion tassel.
This she mechanically touched.
A soft, sweet sound responded to her touch, like the harmonious
tinkling of a silver bell.
The more she looked about her the more she was astonished and
confounded at the brilliance, beauty and elegance of all things.
She heard no one approach, but turning suddenly beheld a tall
servant, splendidly attired, but his face and bare arms were as black
as ebony.
Ellen started.
The servant bowed lowly and smiled.
“Where am I?” the startled girl inquired, with a flushed face and
flashing eyes. “Who has brought me hither, and for what?”
The tall Nubian smiled again.
He bowed more lowly than ever, but spoke not.
He motioned to her that he was both deaf and dumb.
“Set me at liberty!” gasped the captive girl, for the first time
realizing her true position, “set me free; I cannot breath the
atmosphere of this gilded prison. Oh! let me once more flee to my
poor old father, or my heart will break!”
So speaking, she sank on her knees before the tall Nubian, and burst
into tears.
For a moment the black gazed at the beautiful young creature, and his
eyes rolled in wild delight.
He lifted her up from her prostrate position on the floor, and kissed
her snowy hand with every token of affection.
This act surprised and startled Ellen more than ever, for the strange
intruder was a fierce, tall man, and one who seemed to possess, when
he willed it, both the strength of a lion, or the gentleness of a
lamb.
GRAND DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES!!
[Illustration: Decoration]
1,400 VALUABLE PRESENTS
=GIVEN AWAY=
WITH THE
=BOYS OF ENGLAND=,
Consisting of Ponies, Pet Dogs, Pigeons, Ducks, Fowls, Rabbits,
Concertinas, Watches, Cricket Bats, Balls and Stumps, Bows and
Arrows, Fishing Rods, Quoits, Boxes of Colours, Sets of Characters,
Scenes, Stage Front, etc., etc.
ORDER NO. 1 OF THE
=BOYS OF ENGLAND=.
ONE PENNY WEEKLY.
With NO. 1 is PRESENTED A LARGE AND MAGNIFICENT ENGRAVING OF THE
BATTLE OF CHEVY CHASE, AND A SET OF CHARACTERS FOR A NEW PLAY.
FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF ANY OTHER BOYS JOURNAL.
LOOK OUT FOR
THE BOY SAILOR;
OR,
LIFE ON BOARD A MAN-OF-WAR.
A most interesting and powerfully-written Tale, to be completed in
about 30 Numbers.
_No. 2, with No. 1, and a LARGE ENGRAVING, GRATIS._
[Illustration: THE MYSTERIOUS BARBER.]
But with all his ferocious exterior there was a something in his
smile both tender and re-assuring.
He placed a finger on his lips, and led her gently towards the window.
He next, and with great air of mystery and caution, pulled out of his
silk doublet a small ivory tablet.
He partly wrote upon it these words:—
“You are a stranger to me, and, rough as I look, I love you, love you
dearly.”
Ellen’s eyes darted fiery anger at him as she shunned the smiling
black.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account