The Island School — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

Ps f / ie, 4 Fs a \ , SS / ee NE se ee ; . 1 18 | HE ISLAND SCHOOL. studies when Mr. Farrell went in search of Jim Gordon. He found him sauntering towards the class-rooms— there were several—with Hillyard. Beckoning him aside, he said : “Gordon, I wish you to give up school for this morning and act as escort to my daughter. She is going on one of her painting excursions, and I do not like her being alone.” Jim’s eyes grew dim with delight. This was an unlooked-for, undreamt-of proposition; but it was slightly damped by the further information that Romeo would be one of the party also. Jim,on the whole, kept his countenance wonderfully well. He expressed his willingness to accompany “Miss Hveline,” and see that she came to no harm. “Come into my study for a fewmoments,” abruptly said Mr. Farrell. Jim accompanied him thither, the schoolmaster earefully closing the door. “Gordon,” he said, “you are a bold, cool-headed boy, they tell me. Now, if a wild beast attacked my daughter, would you defend her?” With my life,” said Jim, simply. “ Or if some stray rufian annoyed her—— ‘T would shoot him dead,” said Jim. Mr. Farrell opened a drawer and took out a six- chambered revolver. “‘1f I trust you with this,” he said, “ you won’t get up to any boyish tricks with it ?” * No, sir. thine in earnest.” “Then take it,” said the schoolmaster, putting it into his hand. “Use itif necessary. I shall expect Kveline back to dinner ” “ Very good, sir.” Jim left the study, and if he had ventured on giving way to his feelings he would have danced a hornpipe in the passage. But, adopting a more prudent course, he simply went outside and waited for Hveline and Romeo. The latter was at liberty to stay at home if he pleased. The young people could have got on very well without him, but there was yet another person who could have been dispensed with, and that was Mrs, Farrell, who, much to Jim’s disgust, unexpectedly appeared with Eveline. _ Romeo,in attendance, carried the painting materials and -a shawl and camp-stool for Mrs. Farrell. Jim took possession of one for Eveline. Together they ascended the path leading to the castle, Romeo bring- ing up the rear, and signalising his progress by dropping the various articles entrusted to him, in turn or all together, until Mrs. Farrell’ wrathfully bade him go in front so that she could keep her eye apon him. While keeping her eye upon him she could do little ” If I do anything with it, it will be some- | else, and Jim and Eveline were practically alone during the ascent. They conversed in whispers; therefore, what they said being evidently a secret, we are not at liberty to record it. | Jim, while speaking, looked somewhat anxious, but Eveline was in high spirits, smiling, and looking very happy indeed. The point selected by her to sketch the castle from was reached, the easel was fixed, and Eveline set to work, Jim remained in attendance upon her, Mrs. Farrell sat down a short distance away with a book, and Romeo was directed to use her fan to keep away the flies, which were both numerous and troublesome. He set to work, butas his attention wandered towards the young people, he misdirected his efforts, and knocked the bonnet of Mrs, Farrell awry. Having performed this feattwice, he was sternly told to give up the fan and accompany his mistress, who, finding reading in comfort an impossibility, rose from her seat. “T think, Eveline dear, she said, “that I will go fern-hunting. There ought to be some rare specimens in the shady corners of the wood.” ‘Do not venture in too far,” advised Jim, “in case you should lose yourself.” “T will take Romeo with me,” said Mrs. Farrelk, No objection was raised to this proposal, and with that erratic sable attendant'she disappeared. For a time Eveline went on painting in silence, but presently she looked up, “‘ How quiet you are to-day !” she said. “T feel so,’ replied Jim. “Eveline, I know you are a plucky little thing——” “Thank you, I am sure,” said Eveline. “Tt isnot as a mere compliment I say this,” con- tinued Jim, “but because I’ know it is true, and because I feel certain you will ere long have need of ali your nerve. Why am I here to day °” ‘Tam sure I don’t know,” replied Eveline, demurely. Of course, if you do not care to remain——” | ‘‘ Hiveline, at another time I might be less solemn than I am now, but I must be serious. I am here because there is need of your being protected.” She looked up quickly, and saw by his face that he meant all he said. A slight shade of apprehension passed over her own. 7 ‘¢ Whom or what have I to fear?” she asked. “T can only guess at present,” said Jim; “ but it is certain that there is danger in the air. Haye you noticed the change in Mr. Farrell ?” “ He is not himself,” said Eveline, as she thought- fully put in some of the shadows in her sketch. “I have observed——” She stopped short, checked by a terrific scream, and in it she recognised her mother’s voice. Mrs. | Farrell was a little woman, but she was endowed with OMIcCNGO