The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

154 “This noble was named Warbeck, or, as he was called, ‘ Lord of the Lakes.’ “Unknown to any one, he adopted two male children, and brought them up as his own, just like, at the present day, old Sir Richard. Warbeck adopted Charley and Ned. “ Of this, however, no one knew anything ; but the children were not of equal age, nor of the same parents, although they always passed as brothers, and bore the family name of Warbeck. “The elder one was tall, pale, thoughtful, and studious, with black hair, and a martial aspect. His name was Edward, “The other, who was three or four years younger, was of a different aspect, and not s0 tall, ‘He was fair-haired and fosy-cheeked, with bright blue eyes, and very passionate. “All went on happily in the family of Lord Warbeck until the children grew up to be men. “But from the moment that Lord Warbeck adopted these children, an enemy began to work against the welfare of the boys. “This enemy, Phillip,” said the Red Man to him, “was your great ancestor, and the next of kin to Lord Warbeck. ‘The lads were supposed by every one to be the real sons of Lord Warbeck, . “ But Redgill doubted it, although he was unable to prove to the contrary. “Tf they had died, therefore, Redgill himself would have come into the possession of the Warbeck estate. “Tt was his constant aim and object to kill these two boys, but old Warbeck had them so well guarded, both night and day, that it was impossible to carry out his deep design. “When they grew up to manhood, this Redgill was about ten years their senior, aid went abroad to travel. “But whither he went, or what he did, nobody knew nor cared to know. “Tt was in the month of June, and on the greenest turf beneath an old oak tree there sat three persons. “Two of the three were the adopted sons, and the third a most lovely maiden, whose parents, when dying, had left her to the care of old Warbeck. “They were conversing most merrily, when the elder one, who was called Edward, said, playfully, “* You have twined.a chaplet. for my brother, dearest Leoline ; have you not a flower for me?’ “The beautiful maid blushed deeply, and culling from her flowers the freshest of the roses, began to weave them into a chaplet for him. “At tnis moment a servant came up to them, saying that my lord desired to sce Leoline imme- diately, “ The maiden rose, and hastened to the old lord, her guardian, leaving the two young men alone. “For a moment they spoke not, but maintained a dead silence. Charley braced on his sword, which he had care- lessly thrown on the grass; but Ned gathered up the flowers that had been plucked by the fair hands of Leoline. “This action annoyed Charley. * He bit his lip, and changed colour. “At length he said, with a forced laugh, “+I must confess, brother, that you carry ott your affection for our fair cousin; Leoline, to a degree that even relationship caunot warrant,’ “ «True, said Ned, calmly,‘ I love her with au affection surpassing that of blood.’ “ “Flow? said Charley, (fiercely, with blood mounting to his temples, * Do you dare to think of Leojine as a bride, then ?? THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED, “ «Dare ?’ said Ned, turning pale, and drawing himself up to his greatest height. “ ¢ Yes, I have said the word,’ Charley remarked, boldly. ‘You must know that I also love Leoline. I, too, claim her as my bride, and never, while Ican wield a sword, will I surrender my claim to any living rival. Even,’ he added, sinking his voice, ‘though that rival be my own brother.’ “Ned answered not. “ His very soul seemed stunned. “He gazed long and wistfully upon Charley. ‘‘Then turning his face away, left the spot with- out uttering a word, “The silence startled Charley. “ Accustomed as he wasto give full vent to his own passions and anger, he could not comprehend or solve the forbearance of his brother. “He knew that Ned’s nature was too brave and noble to give way to fear. “ « Might it uot be contempt ?’ he thought. “As this suspicion crossed his mind, he followed his brother, and placing one band upon his shoulder, said, “ ¢ Where are you going ? Do you consent to sur- render Leoline ?” “‘ «Does she love, you ?’ Ned replied. ‘“‘His voice quiyered with emotion. “ Even the hot-headed Charley felt a pang for his brother’s sudden pain, and he did not answer, “¢ Does she love you ?’ said Ned again, calmly, ‘and have her own lips confessed it ?’ ‘“*T believe that she loves me,’ Charley replied ; ‘ but she is too modest a maiden to confess it.’ **nough,’ said Ned, as he was about to walk away, ‘© «Stay, said Charley, fiercely. ‘ Though she hath not confessed her love, let me tell you this, brother—dare not cross my path in love, if you do, by my soul, and hope of heaven, one of us two must die.’ “<How Jittle canst thou read the heart of one who truly loves,’ said Ned, witha smile. ‘ Think thou I would wed her if she loved thee, brother. Out upon the thought ! “And Ned walked away, leaving Charley red with rage. “Pale with thought, Edward, the elder brother, took a lonely walk in a retired part of the castle grounds, and, while musing on what had happened, he encountered Leoline alone, and they begam: td converse together like brother and sister. F “Let us rest here for a moment, dear Lédline,’ he said ; ‘I am sick at heart, and have much'to say to you.’ 7 | ““He spoke these words so solemnly, that the fair girl looked up to him in great surprise. | «Have I ever offended you ?’? she said, tenderly. ‘No, no, you have been too good and kind; forgive” me if IT have,’ “* No, Leoline, you lave not, you could not offend me, But I have a task, a severe task to per- form, and, though it pnins me, it must be done. Listen, fair Leoline, listen: once on a_ time’ Edward began, ‘there lived among these hills and lakes a certain old lord who had two sons, and an orphan like thyself also dwelt at the ¢astle with them. The eldest son—but no matter, let us not waste.words on him, The younger son, then, dearly loved the orphan girl, not for her immense wealth, but for herself alone, and he prayed that ‘his eldér brother would urge his suit, for he much feared ’a refusal. Leoline, my task is done ; tell rhe, tell me truly, dost thou love my brother ?? : “Gazing down upon the fair one’s drooping eyes SS MUIELOOOLKS (E(0) (E(0)