Rose Mortimer; or, the Ballet-Girl's revenge ... By a Comedian of the T. R. Drury Lane

Front matter

Published for the LONDON ROMANCE COMPANY by the NEWS-AGENTS' PUBLISHING COMP, W LIMITED, 147, FLEET STREET teii ©/ft ____ sir -©tuat's ie) ta i^ /A iftia ROSE MORTIMER, AVITH NO GUARDIAN BUT HER CRIMINAL FATHER, HAS CHOSEN THE STAGE I SHE FALLS ASLEEP AND DREAMS OF HER FUTURE CAREER FOR A LIVELIHOOD. WHILE AWAITING AN INTERVIEW WITH A THEATRICAL MANAGER Rose Mortimer ; or, The Ballet-Qib&'s Rt;v slntrocluctoru Plate to thc new Romance, " liosc Mortimer, or the Ballet- O'i/T. Revenge." — (Jralk lo Purchasers of No. 1 J ROSE MORTIMER up. THE BALLET-GIRL'S REYENGE BEING THE ROMANCE AND REALITY OF A PRETTY ACTRESS'S LIFE BEHIND THE SCENES AND BEFORE THE CURTAIN BY A COMEDIAN OF THE T. R. DRURY LANE LONDON llublisbcb for tbe Romance (Lompin by % NEWS-AGENTS' PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 147. FLEET STREET CONTENTS.

CIIAPTr.n PAGE I. — The Ruffian and his Victim — The Rescue ----- - 1 II. — A Poor Girl's Trials— The Midnight Assignation— The Attempted Murder— The Noble Forger -----..-_--. 3 III.— Mysteries behind the Curtain— An awful Night— A Run for Life - - 4 IV. — Glittering Vice — The Duel — Horsewhipped — The Profligate's Vow - 8 V.— The Ballet-Girl's Career— The First Night— The Abduction— The lonely House— The Ruffian — In the Lion's Den - - - - - - - - - -12 VI.— The Struggle in the Dark— The Fearful Leap— The Escape— The Disguise - - 1G VII. — The New Dress— The Dark Suspicion — The Abduction — The Villain and his Companions — The Appeal -----------18 VIII.— Edgar Deville— The Mysteries of the Lonely House— The Punishment of Curiosity - 20 IX. — The Escape over the Roof — The Perjured Villain — Again a Prisoner - - - X.— The Inner Chamber— The Gang— The First Crime— The Counterfeit Half-Crown XI. — The Apparition — Homeless, Penniless, and Friendless — Aaron Heine the Jew — Miriam — The Flogging in the Attic ---------- 28 XII. — The Mysterious Departure — Miriam Flogged to Death — A Moment of Terror - - 31 XIII. — More Mysteries — Adventures in the Old Jew's House — The Dead brought back to Life - ;_' 1 XIV.— The Low Theatre— The Toilet— The Signora— A Dead Woman's Clothes— The Outrage - XV.— The Rabble—1' Fire !

Fire !

Chapter I

the night shriek — a rose in the mire— the ruffian and his victim — the rescue — the recognition — the threat. "Help, help, help!" It was a wild and piercing shriek, which sounded through the stilly night. No. 1. A cry drawn forth by pain and terror. The earnestly beseeching cry of one in dire distress — an almost despairing appeal for succour. The hour was late, and the streets were nearly deserted save by the homeless wanderers and outcasts of society. A cold wet night with a biting wind — a pitiless blast that seemed to mock the thinly-clad wanderers whom want deprived of warmth and shelter. It was a night on which few froiji choice would have ; OR, " those blows under the ear are not very highly re commended by the facultv." Then, turning to the still trembling girl, who was standing with a face white as death, and with her little hand pressed to her beating heart, he addressed her for the first time.

" Can I be of any further service to you ? " he asked in soft winning tones, which contrasted strangely with the muscular power he had just shown. •' No, no, I thank you, sir," she answered, timidly lowering her eyes as she spoke ; " I am deeply grateful to you for what you have already done, but — " " But—" ventured abroad — a night on which the utterly miserable crouched shivering on dreary flag-stones, praying God to take away from them the life which was so bitterly hard to bear. In the stony-hearted streets there was no kind sympathising soul to hear that piteous cry forhelp-nn strong arm to come to the rescue of a fair and fragile girl, struggling frantically with her brutal assailant. Scarcely eighteen summers had she seen, though her lovely face, pale and delicate, showed the not easily-mistaken record of sorrow and want.

Poor thing 1 her troubles had in truth commenced early. She was miserably clad, though her few fluttering garments were arranged with care and neatness, and seemed to show a striving at a better position in life. It was difficult to guess at the occupation of this young creature, but itwas plain that, young as she was, her life had been a hard struggle with want and sorrow. One glance into that sweet gentle face and those clear open eyes of heavenly blue proved that hers had been a sinless life, and that she, though reared perehance in some vile hot-bed of poverty and crime, had yet remained undefiled by her hideous surround ings. " I am close home, sir, and I need trouble you no further." " I beg your pardon," said the stanger, who was a tall handsome man of about five or six and twenty, with a profusion of light brown curly hair, laughing eyes, and a huge beard and moustache, rather ragged and uncared for — " I beg your pardon, but, if I am not mistaken, I have the pleasure of speaking to the young lady who was waiting to-night at the stage door of the theatre in Hardress Street?

" The girl, blushing crimson, looked at h'm with surprise, and stammered an inaudible reply. " Miss Rose Mortimer, is it not X " " Yes, sir, that is my name. I was at the theatre to-night, waiting to see Mr. Flathers, the manager." " I thought I was not mistaken. I heard your name given to him, and I could not help noticing you ; you were so different from — " She looked at him inquiringly. " So different from the majority of those who come on similar errands." From the recess of a low frowning archway leading into a dark narrow alley in Lambeth a man had sprung upon her as she passed and seized her by the wrist. " Help, help, help '." But no one was there to deliver her from his vice-like grasp. Muttering an oath between his clenched teeth, he bade her hold her peace. As they emerged from the shadow of the archway, the light of a gas-lamp revealed the features of her worst enemy !

A wolf in sheep's clothing ! Clad entirely in black, with the exception of his necktie, he wore a somewhat respectable appearance ; he was evidently the leader of some highly sanctimonious little flock of true believers ; but no garb could conceal the brutal ruffianism of his countenance, wliich would have been sufficient to give him six months at the hands of any magistrate. Holding her tightly by the wrist, he strove with his disengaged hand to cover her mouth. Again and again she shrieked for assistance, but, though there were lights at some of the windows in the alley, her cries attracted no attention. The ruffian shifted his hold from her wrist to her waist. The girl blushed again, but made no reply. "1 am engaged at the theatre myself," continued her communicative preserver. " My name is Jack Halliday, and I am a 6cene-painter there."

" Indeed." " It is very late for you to be out alone, Miss Mortimer ; may I have the pleasure of escorting you to your door? " " Thank you," said the girl uneasily, " I am close to my home and will not trouble you any further, though do not think me ungrateful for the service you have rendered me." " Psha ! dont mention that. It was a real pleasure to knock the blackguard over. Hullo! What do you want now ? " The latter portion of his speech was addressed to his late antagonist, who had struggled to his feet, and was swaying to and fro unsteadily. The light from the lamp at the entrance to the court fell full upon his face, ugly at all times, but now doubly hideous, smeared with mud and blood. " Nothing now," he growled, rubbing the hair from his eyes; " nothing now, but I won't forget you." '' Nor I you, my friend."

" I never forgot nor forgave in my life. Did I, Miss Mortimer?" His strong arm encircled her, and, though she struggled and fought with the energy of despair, she grew weaker every minute, and must shortly suc cumb to her dastardly assailant. She threw her whole voice into one final appeal. "Help, help, help!" Hardly, however, had the cry ceased to ring through the deserted street when a strong hand was thrust in the ruffian's neckerchief, a strong arm wrenched it round with strangling violence, and he was flung to the ground. The girl staggered half fainting to the wall, but, before her champion could render further assistance, the other man had picked himself up, and came rushing at him head-first like a bull His antagonist, stepping coolly on one side, let out his left with steam-engine velocity and power, and again the ruffian tell headlong to the pavement, but this time bleeding and senseless.

" I think you've had enough of it, my fine fellow," said the poor girl's deliverer in a mocking tone; "if you differ from me, don't hesitate to say so." He walked up to his prostrate foe and bent over him, but the parson lay motionless as a log. "I hope I havn't settled him altogether," said he; The diabolical sneer with which he uttered these words made the scene-painter double his fist involuntarily. " There's a long score to wipe out," continued the ruffian, " a very long score ; but I never forget !" "I shall give you something more to remind you of me," said Jack Halliday, " unless you make your self scarce pretty quickly." But the young girl eagerly caught his arm, and drew him back, with a cry of horror. " .\ o ! no !" she said, " do not touch him." "Why not?" " Do not ask me." " But I must ask you, for unless you have some powerful motive I certainly cannot resist the pleasure of—" "No! no!" she exclaimed wildly ; " do not strike him again, I implore you."

" Well, if you don't wish it, I won't," said the scene-painter reluctantly ; " but it docs seem a pity." " For Heaven's sake ! — unless you would be my ruin—" "Ha! ha! ha! A pretty thing to frighten you! Who was it ?" Ruse made no answer. " Did you know bim X" "Yes." She replied so faintly, though, that her father scarcely heard the word. " Well ?" The painter looked at her with the greatest sur prise. He was well used to mystery and adventure on the stage, but he had never met before with it in real life. "Oh, father! you must guess who it was. There is but one man we have cause to dread." "You don't mean to tell me it was — He looked down at the poor girl, who clung im ploringly on his arm. She was deadly pale, and quivering like an aspen leaf. "Yes, yes, father. It was Abel Booth." " Well, you're a strange girl.

What did you say to him X" " I don't know what would have happened but that a gentleman kindly rescued me, and — " " Rescued ? Confound his meddling impudence ! What do you mean ? You can't stand there and tell me you refused to listen to him ?" " At any rate, Miss Mortimer, allow me to see you home." She made no reply, but her little white hand rested trustingly on his arm, and she walked by his side, though with weak and uncertain steps. 'Her brutal assailant stared after them, his evil eyes lighted up with a glare of savage hatred. "Curses upon her!" he muttered, shaking his fist at their retreating forms ; "why was I fool enough to risk so much when I could have had her still more securely in my power? There are hundreds prettier than she, who would open their arms to me willingly, but I must needs long after her baby face ; long for it ? ay, that I do ! and by all the powers of heaven and hell I swear she shall yet be mine !"

" Father! father!" said the trembling girl, in tones of piteous supplication; " what would you have had me do X" " Do ? I like that ! That's a nice selfish speech ! Do you know he can send me to prison to-morrow ? Do you know he can ruin me with a word? Do you know he is as spiteful and revengeful as Old Harry himself? A pretty business you've made of it ! — but you never had an atom of feeling in your nature." Again poor Rose broke down, and sobbed aloud. " There, leave off whining and make yourself scarce ; I expect a visitor." "A visitor, father? and at this hour ofthe night?" " What the devil do you mean by talking so to me ? Am I bound to get your permission befcre I ask a friend to call upon me X" Poor Rose only sighed ! she was too well accustomed to hard words to be surprised at them. From her earliest infancy, curses and threats and abuse had sounded in her ears.

Chapter II

A WRETCHED HOME — A POOR GIRL'S TRIALS — THE MIDNIGHT ASSIGNATION — MYSTERY'! — THE ATTEMPTED MURDER— THE CRUEL TERMS DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND — THE NOBLE FORGER — THE FATAL MEETING — THE RAKE MARKS HIS VICTIM. She had some faint recollection of a happier time, when she saw finely-dressed ladies and gentlemen about her; but i£ was a dim hazy remembrance as of a dfeam, and she hardly knew whether it had any other origin than her own imagination. Slowly and sorrowfully at her father's command she gathered together the scanty out-door clothing she had discarded on entering the room; but ere she quitted the cold dreary chamber a peculiar knock sounded at the door. It was followed almost instantaneously by the lifting of the latch, and with quick strides a stranger entered the room. " Come in, can't you ?

Now don't stand letting in all) that cold. Confound it, this infernal hole is bad enough without that !" So spoke in a peevish complaining tone a man huddled together over a handful of fire, and seated in a room as miserable as can be imagined. A room in which stood two rickety cane chairs, and a deal table which seemed to be only deliberating as to which of its remaining legs should give way in order to bring a cracked plate and a stale loaf to the level of the carpetless floor. " Oh, it's you, Rose," said the man, slightly turning his head; " what a time you've been !" She made no reply, but busied herself in takinga few small articles of food from her pockets, and ar ranging them round the loaf. " Can't you speak, eh ? You go out and leave your father the whole evening, and haven't a word to say when you come in.

Where have you been X" " To the theatre, father." " Well, what success?" " Hullo! what's the meaning of this?" he asked angrily as his eyes lighted on Rose ; " couldn't you take care we were alone X" "Leave the room," said the other man, with a threatening gesture; "leave the room, or I'll not leave a whole bone in your body. — It's only my daughter, sir," he added, turning to his visitor, and addressing him in an apologetic cringing tone, wliich contrasted strongly with that which he had used to his daughter the moment before. Rose retired without a word, though not until she had closely observed the features of her father's visitor. "None." Poor Rose, unable to restrain her feelings any longer, burst into tears. " Curse it! I'm hanged if your whimpering isn't enough to drive a man mad. Cry, cry, cry ; you're always turning on the water as if your father had been a turncock instead of a gentleman." •' I can't help it, lather— indeed I can't, I — I — " '■ Speak out, can't you X" " I have been frightened, aud— and — " " Frightened ?

Psha ! Did you see a ghost in the alley ?" " No; but as I passed along a man seized me by the wrist and held me fast." He was considerably above the middle height, and possessed an appearance which seemed to stamp him as belonging to the upper class of society, despite his being attired in a shabby coat wrapped round with a well-worn pie id. His face was strikingly handsome, but in his eyes, which were dark and deeply set, there was a cold glitter, which at times imparted toh is face an almost diabolical look. A jet black moustache carefully tended showed off his white shining teeth, which at times seemed to ; OP, to me. I wish to converse with you, but I do not wish any witnesses called in ; so remember, though I loose my hold at your throat, I still keep a loaded revolver in my hand, and, if you utter one single word in a louder tone than that in which we were just now speaking, that word shall be your death-warrant.

Remember too that, though I have no wish to com mit murder, still to me my life is of greater value than yours. Get up." He relaxed his hold, and Hugh Mortimer rose slowly and staggered to his feet. The first thing he saw was the barrel of the revolver pointed straight at his head. " Now, Hugh Mortimer, bring me the paper." " And— and — the money ?" stammered the frightened man. snarl beneath the hair ; but, in spite of these disagreeable attributes, when perfectly calm his form and features were those with which painters and sculptors of old embodied the heathen gods. "Now," cried the stranger, as Rose closed the door behind her, " are they finished ?" "Yes, count, yes," muttered the elder man, at the same time fidgetting somewhat uneasily in his seat. " Well, out with them, then ; I've no time to waste."

The other rubbed his hands together, but made no movement. " Do you hear X" "Yes; I hear." " By Jove, then, you had better obey." " Yes, count, I hear, and will obey, but — " " Speak, man, can't you?" "I have been considering, noble count, that the risk I run is very great, and—" "And, therefore, you are entitled to a greater recompense than that we agreed to originally X" " Precisely." " You also think, I suppose, that I am in urgent want of those bits of paper X" " I suppose so,'' smirked the other. " And that, consequently, I shall be quite prepared to pay a large sum to obtain them ?" Rose's father seemed to be somewhat taken aback by the supreme coolness of his visitor, and his face lost something of his look of cunning pleasure, but he answered in the affirmative, though faintly. " Precisely.

Now, from your own lips I learn you to be an extortionate rogue, but yet I am willing to deal fairly with you." The countenance of Hugh Mortimer brightened up considerably, and he mechanically stretched forth his hand. " You have forfeited all right to mention terms to me. Bring me the paper." Slowly and reluctantly Mortimer took from a cup board a roll of thin tissue paper, upon which several words had been engraved. The pieces of paper were not large, but at the top of each was engraved in Old English letters, orna mented with many flourishes, " Bank of England." " Good," said the count, examining them ; " you were not taught engraving for nothing, I see." So saying, he pocketed the roll and looked with a sardonic smile full into the face of the man who had handed them to him. " Here," said he, with a short laugh ; " here is half of the sum agreed upon.

You have forfeited the other half by asking double ; take it and be thankful. It isn't everyone who would have given you that much." "Stay," said Hugh Mortimer, his face white with passion. " Listen to me; I can denounce you as an adventurer, a swindler, a " " Yes, my good fellow you can, but who will believe you? while, on the contrary, if I denounce you as a forger — transportation for life remember !" With a pleasant smile upon his face the count turned and left the miserable room, totally heedless of the look of baffled cunning and hate with which his tool regarded him. " Not so fast, my good fellow. Do you see this purse?" He not only saw it, but almost devoured it with his eyes, as the man he addressed as count held up a knitted purse, through the meshes of wliich the quick sight of Rose's father detected the glistening gold, at the same time that his ears drank in the sound of the chinking of the precious metal.

Just before he quitted the house he came again face to face with Rose, and now for the first time observed her personal appearance. " Good. It contains the exact amount we agreed beforehand was to be the price paid. Give me the paper and take it." For a moment they stood regarding each other in the passage, his face expressing admiration of her beauty, and hers astonishment at the presence of one so handsome and evidently patrician in this house of squalid poverty. Hugh Mortimer shook his head. " You refuse?" "Yes." " How much more do you want?" She shrank back abashed by his lawless gaze, and he smiled at her alarm. " Double." The count put his hand into his pocket, and Hugh Mortimer's eyes brightened as he fancied another glittering purse would be produced. But he was wrong. He had reckoned without his host.

It was a first meeting, and destined to result in misery : bitter, hitter misery to the poor unhappy girl! Something glittering came from the pocket, but it was not a purse ! With two rapid strides the stranger reached him, and ere he could utter a word or cry had twisted his fingers tightly in his neckcloth, and had hurled him to the floor.

Chapter III. The Poor Girl's Prayer

— THE REPUL3E — THE MYSTERIES BEHIND THE CURTAIN — THE COUNT AGAIN — A DEMON'S SMILE — TREACHERY — THE SPY — AN AW'FUL NIGHT — A DEED OF BLOOD — THE STRUGGLK — A RUN FOR LIFE. Half strangled, and totally incapable of uttering a sound, he lay prostrate, his visitor kneeling on his chest, holding the Inning something, which was the barrel of a revolver, within a few inches of his forehead. When Jack Halliday's muscular arm had been called into requisition to protect Rose Mortimer from the insults of the ruffian who had dared to lay his hand upon her, she was returning to the dismal dreary house she called home, after having spent many hours waiting in vain to see Mr. Flathers, the well-known manager, in the hope of obtaining an en gagement in the ballet for the forthcoming pantomime. Again and again had she been to that dark grimy " Now, Hugh Mortimer, we are upon a more equal footing.

Who now is to dictate the terms X" The prostrate man strove to call for help, hut a tighter wrench at his neckerchief showed hirn the folly of the attempt. " It is useless to struggle," said the count. " Listen stage-door, hoping and longing for the good fortune of seeing the great man and urging her suit. Upon the afternoon of the day following her meeting with Jack Halliday she set forth yet once more to the theatre in Hardress Street. " Mr. Flathers '11 see you now, I think. There's a gent with him, but I don't think he'll mind." With a fast-beating heart Rose followed her hoarse guide into a little close hot room, where, seated carelesslyon a table, with a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses by his side, she beheld the theatrical king, Mr. Flathers. There was another gentleman in the room when Rose entered, but his back was towards the door, and she could not see his face.

A faint hope still buoyed her up, though repeated repulses had done much to crush her sanguine nature. She found it hard to believe that one willing and able to work might starve in the streets of such a city as London. Weary and faint (for her last night's excitement had had a considerable effect upon her), she arrivedat that gloomy door, through which so many passed thinly and slatternly clad to emerge upon the stage in all the glories of muslin and 9pangles. "Can I see Mr. Flathers?" she asked timidly of the stern doorkeeper. " I'm very sorry, my dear," he commenced, grin ning from ear to ear as he spoke; " I'm very sorry, but " " Hullo! how did you come here?" This was the young girl's greeting, spoken in a harsh rough voice, and with unnecessary sharpness. " I came, sir, hoping that you would give me an engagement at the theatre."

" Oh, this sort of thing won't do ; they shouldn't have let you in. I can't be bothered by every woman who thinks she has a dramatic genius." Poor Rose shrank abashed before the words of the manager, and could not summon up courage to answer him. " Miss Mortimer!" exclaimed some one behind her in a tone of surprise. She turned and confronted the bearded artist Jack Halliday, who had come to her rescue so opportunely on the previous evening. Tremblingly she held out her hand to him, and a deep blush spread over her beautiful face as she re membered how greatly she was indebted to him, and how utterly incapable she was of repaying him for his kindness to her. Mr. Flathers looked at her, and could not fail to notice her extraordinary beauty. " Well, what is it ?" he asked in a somewhat softer tone ; " do you want to be a tragedy queen X" " No, sir, I — I thought, perhaps, in the ballet in the pantomime you might — " " All the vacancies were filled up six weeks ago."

" Or anything, sir ; I would do my best, indeed I would." "Do you wish to see Mr. Flathers?" he asked kindly. " Yes, sir, I do indeed ; oh, if you could only per suade him to give me an engagement !" " I fear I cannot undertake that, but I can take you to him, and I am sure he would pay more attention to a request from your lips than mine." " Oh, thank you, thank you very much." " Follow me, then ; take care how you go. You see, Miss Mortimer, I am in a very humble position here myself, but anything I can do for you — take care ofthe steps; now then, straight on." Se saying, he piloted Rose through all the intricacies of the mysterious region spoken of as " behind the scenes," and conducted her safely to the manager's room. " Very likely," said the manager, drily. "Oh, sir, can't you find me some employment?"

"No." Rose hid her face in her hands. " Come, my good girl, we can't have any whimper ing here; you must clear out, and the sooner the better." As she raised her head the other occupant of the room, who had hitherto remained silent and with his back towards her, turned round. In an instant Rose recognised him. He was her father's mysterious visitor of the previous night ! There could be no doubt of the matter. There was the same handsome face, the same distinguished manner, the same luxuriant moustache. He started slightly when his eyes rested on her, but otherwise gave no token of recognition. " What are you doing, Flathers ?" he said, as Rose made her way to the door ; " that girl's face is worth a dozen of those frights you had last year." " Can't be helped, count, the number's made up."

" Well, what of that? Give one of them the sack." " Nonsense ! you know I can't." Though tbis conversation was carried on in a low tone, it reached Rose's ears, and she paused irresolutely. "I know you can if you like; if you won't do it—" " Mr. Flathers is particularly engaged," said a man who was lounging about, with a paper cap on his head and a pewter pot in his hand. Jack Halliday turned to Rose. " I am sorry, Mi3S Mortimer, that you will have to wait, and still more so that I cannot keep you com pany, but I am late as it is, and we are very busy now preparing for the pantomime." " Oh, thank you very much for what you have done; I cannot tell you how much I am obliged to you." Then, turning to the man, Jack Halliday whispered a few words to him, at the same time slipping some thing into his hand.