The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

b Ne = Ne esses Eee THE SKELETON CREW5$ OR, WILDFIRE NED. 109 “ ————_— looks and careless manner, took the old colonel’s arm, and proceeded, with laugh and joke, through the forest-path towards the small town lying in the valley, they soon came to the cathedral, and the colonel stopped. “The great door being slightly ajar, Emma stepped lightly in, and its quiet calm and beauty arrested her hurried, impetuous gait. “Hivening serv'ce was over. “The sinking sun shed its rays through stained- glass windows, and streams of blue, white, orange, purple, and pink fell in varied beauty upon its dori2 columns and tiled floors. “The slightest sound was audible, and as the boughs of chestnut trees swayed against the win- dows, and the birds warbled their even-song, each rustle and note echoed through the edifice. “Emma slowly closed the creaking door, and, stealthily stealing forwards, discovered Clare, whose pale face and dark eyes were raised in deep medi- tation. “A touch and gesture were all that passed, and Clare rose slowly and left the place with noiseless step. “*Not go to the grand military parade, child ?’ asked the colonel, when Miss Clare had joined them. ‘You used to be amazingly fond of such things a few months ago. Come, Clare, Lady Emma has been waiting for you ever so long.’ “Lady Emma looked inquiringly into Clare’s face, as yey walked side by side, and seemed grave and vexed. “* Well, then, cousin, as you are indisposed, the colonel, I know, will excuse you. I shall call about seven, and spend the evening with you.’ “Lady Emma and the colonel walked on in silence, until the latter remarked, “¢She’s the only one left to me now. Sons and daughters have gone from home—some are in the clay, others are married. My whole life and soul are centred in her, Lady Emma, and it grieves me to see her looking so thoughtful of late. I wish she Was as gay @ romp as you.’ “Lady Emma did not speak, but seemed deep in thought until they reached the college parade- grounds, where numbers of gay visitors, broken up into small groups, gave variety and animation to the scene. ““Lady Bray was soon recognised by acquaintances, who laughed and chatted round the white-haired colonel as if they were all his children. “The bell tolled the hour, and soon there issued from the various wings crowds of military students, tired with the lectures of the day. “The drums beat, the band assembles, and soon there come upon the ground hundreds of students in gay uniforms, who, with sword and musket, fell in, and immediately go through a series of battalion movenients, in quick and double time. “The precision of step and erect soldierly bearing of the collegians elicited applause; and as platoons filed past and wheeled into line, broke into columns of company, and marched in quick or double time, the glittering of the bayonets, the waving of banners, and harmonious strains of the band, was a spectacle that called forth the applause of all present. ‘So that when the whole line advanced, halted, and presented arms to numbers of the fair sex screened under the colonnade of trees, enthusiasm reached its height ; and the drill and parade passed off with much éclat. “As soon as the troops marched out of the quad- rangle to the armoury at the rear, the visitors slowly dispersed. ‘““Many of the students obtained a few hours’ leave, so that when all dispersed to their residences in town or in the outskirts, there were but few ladies unaccompanied by relations or friends in uniform. “Colonel Temple and Lady Bray were the object of much attention; and as the old hero was an especial favorite with all, he insisted upon taking some half dozen or more of the young ladies to his house to supper. “Hach lady was gallanted, so that as the white- headed old soldier went along the forest walk, he looked more like a patriarch leading forth his children’s children, than a gay-hearted, brave colonel of dragoons, ““* Here we are, girls,’ said the colonel, opening the gate and. admitting his young friends, ‘ here we are, young gentlemen, make the place your own as much as you like, only don’t hurt my conservatory, else Clare will never forgive you.’ *“* Now, then, Nance,’ shouted he, calling to the housemaid. ““* Now, then, Dick, bestir yourselves; tell Miss Clare there’s troops of friends come to see her ; make supper ready quick as possible; and one of you go down to town and bring up a band to play for us. I know the girls ’ll like a dance.’ ‘While the good old man was thus bustling about, frightening the big cook and the butler with a multitude of orders, pale-faced Clare came forth to welcome her many friends ; and from the fond- ness of caresses bestowed upon her by the females, and the hearty gallant behaviour of the gentlemen, her manner became embarrassed. “ Her hair fell loose from continual hand-shaking, and her face was all radiant with blushes. ““¢T’m really glad to see you all; this is quite a surprise. Comein Mollie. How. do, Lizzie? Ah! Josephine, dear. Come in, gentlemen,’ said Clare bustling about. ‘I’m so glad you’ve come.’ ‘And while she bustled about, giving orders to various servants, Lady Bray helped her to do the honors of the house (for the colonel was a widower), and made every one at home. ‘Music was the order of the evening, and ere long, harps, flutes, violins, and voices were good- humoredly engaged in quartetts and chorusses. “The colonel was in bis element. ““ He was here, there, and everywhere ; ordering this, and arranging that, for the evening dance. “ His anxiety was so great to please the young people, and he seemed so flurried with his prepara- tions, that he was red and perspiring, while two or three ‘merry imps’ of young girls, were follow- ing him about, doing their utmost to confuse or amuse him. “The large and small drawing-rooms were thrown into one ; numberless wax tapers were arranged in groups, with vases of newly plucked flowers, and all bade fair for a pleasant party, in which English youth so much delight. “Cook, with some half dozen assistants, was squabbling over her numerous pots and pans. First one dish was upset, and then another, until the whole culinary department seemed in a state of haste, noise, bustle and confusion. “ As soon as it became known that the band was going to Colonel Temple’s house half-a-dozen or more couples of both sexes hurried thither unin- vited, for the colonel’s friends never waited for invi- tions in those good old times, and kept dropping in until the fine old gentleman sat under the verandah laughing and smoking his pipe in a state of bliss. ~ “Supper had long been over, and here and there along the garden walks couples strolled, laughing Comicboooks.conn