The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

i ———————————— THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 115 grew, and it disappeared beneath the eddying water.’ ! “Carelessly lighting a cigar, he examined him- self to see that no blood bespattered him, and cooly passed through the meadows and presented himself at Lord Stoner’s. “He was known and welcomed. Josephine was all gaiety and danced with him ; but Lady Bray and Clare, by common instinct, avoided his company. *““* You are ever talking fof Clare, Mr, Redgill ; how many times have I not told you that, she is perpetually speaking of young Captain Lawrence.’ “Ts he here ?’ asked Redgill, with a smile. “No ? I dare say he cannot come,’ he added with emphasis, “*Tn truth, ?m glad he has not ; ’'m sure J didn’t wish his company, however much some people may desire and seem to prize it, Oh, there’s Clare passing into the grounds looking for her father, the colonel.’ “Redgill followed instantly, and overtook her on the lawn. : “* Mr. Redgill !’ she said, in surprise. “Yes, Miss Clare ;~pray be seated.’ “¢ You will excuse me, Mr. Redgill ; I was looking for my father, it is time for us to go.’ «Only for a moment, one second only,’ “¢ As you desire it, certainly.’ ““¢ Clare, listen. I am going away,I know not whither ; I have known you long, and I have only known you to love you.’ “Mr. Redgill, do not cause me to give you humiliation ; twice before I have told you that your feelings are not reciprocated ; they can never be. You will bear witness that I never gave the slightest cause for you to suppose that I liked you other than as a friend, No, I can assure you there have been none to counsel me ; I follow the dictates of my heart; your worldly station is fit for any lady, but it is not that. Lcannot explain the cause; but, to speak frankly and for the /ast time, 1 am sorry if I have caused you an uneasy moment, it has been foreign to my thoughts, and I now say unreservedly that I do mot and never can look upon you with feelings other than those of acquaintanceship. My heart is no longer mine ; you can never share it, and I feel certain you are too honourable to ever trouble yourself or me again by referring to so distasteful a subject ; good evening.’ “ Shaking hands she left him. 4 “¢My heart is no longer mine, eh? Oh, if. the hound had fifty lives, one less would not have satisfied my revenge. freezes into hate, you will have cause to remember and regtet this hour.’ : ‘ “Moodily sauntering into the hall, he bowed to the host and hostess and departed. “ While this conversation was transpiring under the lamp-lit trees, the moon was bright and cloudless, and the ozier-banked stream looked innocent and ure, ‘ “Tt flowed on as usual with gurgling sound, but eddied near the willows. “ No signs of violence were visible, and ere long a man was héard approaching, whistling and carrying alantern. Presently he shouted to some one still behind him in the wood, and both lingered on the bridge while a hound descended to the brink and began, to drink. é “This is the place for trout, Ike,’ said he with the lamp. ‘The colonel often says to me, Jack, says he, go and catch a few trouts. Miss Clare allers has fish on Friday.’’ “+ Hello, what’s that, Jack? What is the dog howling about ?’ | *¢ Pink, Pink, come here.’ Pass on, proud Clare ; if love. a “¢What’s that?’ said both, simultaneously, as | they heard a faint moan, and rolled their eyes in the moonlight. s6¢ Pink, Pink, Pink, come here!’ shouted ‘Jack ; but still the hound stood in the broad light, howling at something in the shade ; and when a second moan, louder than the first, caught the rustic’s ear, “By golly, Jack !’ said he, it’s nothing but a ghost! this youth is off, sure!’ and he hustled away from the bridge in a hurry. | “Ike, however, more ‘courageous than ‘his’ companion, went down. to the brook side and dis- covered & student lying almost submerged, with his head saved from sinking by a cluster of willow stumps. “ Horrified at the discovery, he knew not what to do, but shouting at the top of his voice, induced his ~ companion to return. « After much difficulty, they dragged the inani- mate form from among the willows; but mud had - so disfigured him that they knew not who it was. “‘ Blood flowed freely from the left breast. “One of them staunched the wound with a hand- kerchief, and both rustics carried the body towards the house in front, Pink having the lantern sus- pended from his neck. “Had a thunderbolt crashed through the roof, it could not have caused a more sudden cessation of festivities than did the arrival of Lawrence, borne as he was in thie arms of the servants. “ The news spread rapidly. “The company were electrified. “Every one was anxious to learn the particulars. “But all was wrapt in mystery, which only heightened curiosity still more. “The collegians rushed from the ball-room, and taking up the body, swiftly conveyed if to the _ house. «“<¢This way, gentlemen,’ said Lord Stoner, as he j aud Colonel Temple led the way upstairs. «*¢ Enter the first room you come to—there, that’s it ; never mind (to his wife) if it is your daughter’s’ room ; there’s no time to stand upon trifles ; place him upon the bed—that’s it.’ “ And the wet and muddy youth was carefully ‘laid on the spotless counterpane, and the doctor immediately began to ply his art, “¢Tke,” gaid he, ‘fetch my instruments, and galop instantly into town and bring Dr. Newman with _you ; tell him there mustn’t be a moment’s delay.’ “‘Tt is a desperate case, gentlemen,’ said ‘he, addressing a few who were allowed to remain in the room; ‘ ’tis naught but life or death ;. every moment i3 invaluable. Gentlemen, you will excuse me, I know, when I say it is necessary that you all retire.’ . “And the door closed on Lord Stoner, Colonel Temple, Harry Askton, a collegian, and Susy, the chambermaid. . A ! «The sudden calamity had stunned all present, and one by one the visitors departed. “Clare and Belle had heard the news. “ But, neither spoke, ' | Me ‘They sat apart in silence, waiting for the colonel, who at last appeared, and the carriage drove off to the ‘ Willows.’ . “Don’t ask me any questions, girls,” said the old man, ag they rode home., ‘I am full of passion, and might say things to offend your ear’; but let me tell you, this is a dastardly outrage ; it was not a fight, but deliberate assassination, and old as I am, I would walk a hundred miles for the pleasure of putting a bullet into the’ precious scoundrel who did it. | “é¢No, we can find no clte to the affair. The MICO S Corn