The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

114 own thoughts, Lawrence mused long, walking up and down the garden walks thinking of the future. “Some twenty persons sat down to supper, and during the meal a horse was heard galloping up the drive ; the bell rang, and a note was handed to Miss Clare, which, being read, was passed to her father. It was an invitation from Lord Stoner to a ball for all then present, which each one willingly accepted, as Lord Stoner’s manison was but a short distance away. “Clare did not go at the moment, and,as Lawrence was to escort her, she preferred the cool of eyening and the lonely forest path with its birds and flowers to the heat and dust of the circuitous road, “Lawrence paced the cool stone entrance hall, and Clare soon tripped lightly down from her room with her hat hanging on her arm. She had changed her customary silk tissue for a dark blue silk, and her mass of jet black hair, looped up by simple white and blush roses, was in striking contrast to her large sparkling eyes and pallid face. Her maid followed with a Cashmere shawl, which Lawrence insisted on placing on her shoulders, which unex- pected piece of gallantry and attention brought crimson to her cheeks. “¢* Well, then, now I am ready, and sorry for keeping you so long, Edward. Mollie, bring my cloak with you.’ | “Arm in arm theyfsallied forth through the © orchard and across the fields, until they reached the wood, and as they walked through its shade, the purfume of flowers and song of birds were . } eternity !” consonant with the thoughts and feelings of both. “This isa very familiar walk to me, Clare; I | often come hunting here in the winter when you are © away in France; there are plenty of rabbits and pheasants ; the corn-fields abound in partridge ; and, altogether, it affords fine sport.’ ‘“‘« Yes, I often hear when we are away that you collegians destroy all papa’s game; but he only smiles, and says, ‘‘ Let ’em blaze away, there’s plenty for everybody.” ’ “From where they stood, they distinctly saw, twinkling in the cloudless twilight, numberless Chinese lanterns hanging in the trees round the house; rockets of many colours were ascending and bursting in varied showers in the. calm, breath- less air; while strains of music broke upon the ear | in, delicious dreamy waltzes, and flags on the house- top lazily flapped with every passing gust. ““* How pretty!’ both exclaimed, as they stood | on the brook bridge gazing, while the ozier banks were rippling with passing waters. “*<Yes, *tis pretty and pleasant, (Clare; I shall never forget this day, this pleasant walk; and all I regret is that I have not courage to present myself there this evening,’ he added, with difficult articu- lation; ‘you know that Lord Stoner displayed antipathy to me,’ : ‘‘ ‘Lord Stoner an antipathy to you ?> What can be the cause ?’ asked Clare. “I know not, Clare, but I cannot go. You will excuse me; I shall be here in waiting :precisely at twelve o’clock, and I dare say the colonel will take this path homewards.’ “Miss Temple here became unusually animated and colour came and went as her companion occasion- ally looked in her face, with pleasure. | A ‘hound, which had, followed her footsteps, suddenly ‘darted into the forest and growled, | ‘‘ But no one was visible, and now they had passed through the’ wood -and were:.at the ‘edge: of the meadow-land which, intervened between then and Lord, Stoner’s estate, i “ While gaity reigned at Lord Stoner’s, and. all has ever THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. oe Oe Oe a Ee Eee ——— Se a ne thoughts of care were banished by old and young, a strange scene occurred within gun-shot of the house, ‘Lawrence had returned to Colonel Temple’s and spent several hours there, and leisurely strolled back to the brook bridge to meet Lady Bray and Clare with her father. “ He stood upon the bridge looking down into the moonlit water gurgling over ite moss-covered rocks, heeding the gold-backed perch and trout disporting on the surface, and heard the church tower chime | hour after hour. “The sounds of merriment were clearly audible, — the merry laugh and joyful shout fell upon his ear in the natural calmness of the spot. “The moon in silver streams poured through openings in the forest, and the leaves rustled with every gust. “ He felt depressed and melancholy, and every unpleasant circumstance of his life came full upon him. “ Time passed, and still he pondered and thought of Josephine, who, in the whirling excitement of the dance, was oblivious of his existence. ““ While he stood leaning on the hand-rail, gazing on the shiny surface of the deep, broad brook, hasty steps approached. He looked up; a stranger with shaded face stood gazing on his moon-lit counte- nance. “<Edward Lawrence, by my soul!’ he said, and after a long pause, hoarsely continued ; ‘ give place! move from my path, snake! You have thwarted me for years. Move, I say, or I'll send you into ««* Philip Redgill ?’ said Lawrence, in amazement, disbelieving his senses, adding in a scarcely audible voice, ‘heaven help thee!’ “* Help you, you hypocrite. Out of my way, I say, or I'll slaughter you where you stand. What have you done? why, everything ; you have robbed me of honours, position, place, aye, love. By your pale- faced lies, you have come between me and one that was dearer than life. Yes, yes, don’t be puzzled. Not have any pretensions there, you penniless impostor? You know you have. Didn’t I see you this very day fawning to her in this wood? There, don’t stand canting, but listen to me; I always hated you from the moment I first saw you. Lying tutors called you a model of living, now show your- self a model of dying.’ “* Yes, of dying ;: I have resolved to rid the world of you. You pale before me, eh ? You will be paler still ere morning. Take that hand from your hilt, or I'll send a bullet whistling through your brain, you bastard.’ ‘‘Lawrence listened with nervous philosophic — courage to all the enraged man had spoken, and he — resolved not to draw arms whatever might befall him. “But the last word exploded all his good :reso- lutions. ‘“ The slur’ on his. unknown mother’s honour maddened him. “The sabre'leaped from its seabbard and flashed in the light, “ But instantly Redgill drew back and fired. ‘Lawrence fell upon the bridge covered with blood. “The stranger gazed for a moment on his prostrate form, and muttered,‘I am satisfied. (‘It was to be; itis done:! Pale-cadet in pretty uniform, you are now food for worms, fitting end forapenny- — less cur ; no one will ever miss you.’ “ And with main strength he flung the hody into. the deepest part of the brook where the willows S| Fy a) (C(O) nn Ehboo cS (E(0) im