The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

1)2 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. a In every instance, let him be taught to depend upon himself; for he has no expectations other than those he may, perhaps, derive from me.” “¢Tt seems very unnatural that an uncle should never have seen you for so long,’ continued the president, ‘if he is your uncle, but he never let you want for anything, which speaks well. As to his injunction about us teaching you to depend upon yourself, without having dreams of wealth, &c., I fully indorse ; for it is my experience that those who look forward to, or are sure of inheriting riches, make very indifferent students, It is the poor lad, who has little or nought to expect, who sheds honour on his college in after life, for, having nothing but his own energy and talent to depend upon, he developes both at school, and the habits of industry and self reliance thus generally attained increase with age, and brings success as its necessary and natural reward,’ “ Lawrence, with sword jingling by his side, took a field path to the ‘ Willows,’ and as he gaily strode along, puffing a cigar, soon struck through the woods, and came within sight of the house, /7om which a horseman had just then departed by another road. “Colonel Temple met him at the door, and heartily shook him by the hand, ‘ Allow me to con- gratulate you, my boy ; you have got through it at last, with honour, and no one feels more pleasure than myself, for you have striven nobly for it.’ “*T received your note, colonel, and ——’ “** My note ?’ ; “* Yes, uncle,’ said Lady Bray, opening the long window, and stepping on to the verandah, laughing, ‘your note, I wrote it ; don’t you remember? You don’t? Well, then, I wrote it on my own respon- sibility. I knew what a favourite you were with uncle, and as he had no company, I thought I would entice you up to the house to enliven him.’ “¢ Oh, you. rogue. I ——’ “* And as you were so naughty, Mr, Lawrence, as not to come and see us the other night when the other graduates came, I thought we must have offended you, and so wished to learn all about it before you left college. We all heard your speech this morning, didn’t we, uncle? Ob, such a fine one—long sentences and big words. Oh, I couldn’t comprehend it all; and then Clare was unwell, and I was dull, and I didn’t know what to do, so as we have known you for years, and you have been such a bad, bad boy as not to come and see us for ever so long, I thought 1’d ask you to call in uncle’s name, so that’s all; and now uncle ’Il forgive me, and give me a kiss, I know he will,’ and the dash- ing Lady Emma, merry as ever, threw her arms around the old colonel, and went back to the parlour singing and laugbing. ““¢ Oh, that’s a funny rogue, Lawrence,’ “Lawrence met Clare in the entrance-hall, and although her hand shook perceptibly in his, a blush tinged her cheek as she bade him welcome, and opened the drawing-room door. ‘“* Now, sir truant,’ began Emma, in mock he- roics; ‘deliver up your arms. Let me unbuckle your sword, sir knight—that’s it. I’m sure you don’t want it clanking at your heels while with us. Now, Idward Lawrence, Esq., M.A., you are at our mercy ; and if you don’t ask pardon for your long absence, and promise to be a better boy for the future, prepare for the block,’ she continued, flour- ishing the sword with both hands. ‘Clare shall be the parson, and I the executioner! You will be botter,eh? Then this time you are safe,’ _“*T was extremely sorry to hear of your indispo- sition, Clare,’ remarked Lawrence, with the air of one very intimately and long acquainted. ‘Even now you look fretted and thoughtful.’ “<‘T)o I? how complimentary! I will reverse it by saying that you appear remarkably well, Edward, if a ferocious captain of cadets, and a profound Master of Arts will allow me to call him by familiar names.’ «Oh, bless you, cousin, we must not be s0 fa- miliar now, you know. No more blind man’s buff, and kiss-in-the-ring, as we used to. He’s suddenly become very grand; just consider being created a Master of Arts and a captain, all in one day. Dear me, ain’t we very grand!’ “ft ** «Come, come, girls,’ remarked the colonel, en- tering the room and seating himself on the sofa; ‘don’t badger the captain; two to one is not the thing —fair play! You’ll be a graduate yourself next year, and—’ *“* Oh, won’t that be fine! In white satin, and crowns of flowers, and all that !—Oh, how I envied Clare last year ; she looked so pretty that——’ “* Cousin, cousin,’ broke in Clare, blushing and hanging down her head, ‘ really I never heard such non ? “JT dare say you haven’t, but you did look nice, everybody said so, the ladies said so, for I heard ’em, and the gentlemen too; one said ‘oh how pale; another ‘what a sweet voice’ and a third, whose initials are E, L. said ‘how modest !” “While they were engaged in music, Clare re- tired to superintend some domestic duty, and the colonel falling asleep, Emma and Lawrence were left alone, and proceeding towards the windows look- ing into the gardens, she stood nervously pulling the curtains and thus began, rather seriously :— “You must not joke Clare to-day, Lawrence. J heard you, if I was making a noise at the piano. She was not well this morning. She has had unpleasant visitors, and it surprises me she is half so gay as she is. I don’t know what it is, but I think it was au old beau that displeased her; he insisted upon escorting her home, and after he went away she seemed very much vexed and annoyed,’ ““«That is easily accounted for: perhaps she is partial to him, and it is but natural she should feel annoyed at his hurried departure.’ ““« Nonsence, Edward ; you #now she has no such liking, or I should have discovered it long ago. It was a Captain Redgill, one Of your old students, living now in Birmingham ; you must know him well, and judging from his looks*at parting, I’m sure his visit could not have proved very satisfac- tory or pleasant. What makes you look so solemn ?’ _“ Lawrence did remember Redgill ; he had occa- sion for never forgeting him, and remembering the past, he blushed scarlet. ‘** Nothing, Lady Bray. I was only thinking of a presentiment that has disturbed me all the morn- ing, and which continually recurs, that some mis- chief will befal me ere midnight” GIVEN AWA Sit SCENES, SHEETS OF CHARACTERS, AND A LARGE STAGE FRONT FOR A NEW PLAY, CALLED “ALONE IN THE PIRATES’ LAIR.” READ THE “BOYS OF ENGLAND,” AND SECURE THE ABOVE MAGNIFICENT GIFTS. ONE PENNY WEEKLY. Gom Eboo Ss Geom