The Island School — page 391: what you’re looking at

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

j is ay. I got near it on the cliff in the rear at dawn “this morning, and witnessed your return. I had pre- ie _ viously heard the firing of guns, but thought they were Re . in my deordorad brain. But when I saw the boats cross the lagoon I knew you had been doing ak ave work—as usual.” _ He stopped for breath, and glanced at a mug of | Ww vine which Jim held. It was but half empty, and he ¢ r3 ve the schoolmaster a little more. ¥) oe Since then I have been crawling and walking, step | by step, inch by inch. Oh, the weary way! I stopped by the ruin at the back of the castle, and wondered how it could have been brought about. Then I must have fainted, for it was dark when I found myself n noving again. So I have come on here, to be received by by you—as—I—knew I should be. You are very . g pod, boys.” ‘ae a ‘The change in his appearance was very great. .It ¢ was terrible — appalling. He looked many years “ ‘older, and had lost every particle of flesh that could be spared from his bones and leave him alive. 4 “You have not asked about Mrs. Farrell,” suggested oan It was a reminder that he took Pecaiatly somewhat Pa ot is aid. “’T saw her alive and well.” But. she has. suffered, too,” said Jim. ‘She has a ie ‘aie been anxious about you. At this moment she i a believes you to be dead.” _ * And wished it, perhaps.” _ “No. You misjudge her. She has all through been _ very ween /DG and kind. She would never have He paeserted you.” This was a home-thrust. The schoolmaster sat Pont. for a few moments with his eyes upon | _ the fire. sy eS “She will hardly know me,” he said, at last. . “Y must prepare her for the change inyou. She is upstairs with ea wounded woman — Lucia di Bs Valo.” “Have they given refuge to that she-fiend 2” “Ttis not for you to question any course we may _ take with others.” Jim was a bit peremptory with him, and the school- master shrank under it. ay *K “Tf you approve,” he said, “it is ‘not for me to object. is “ car Fj ee ~ cannot have any more wine just now; strong. Remain here. it is very T shall not. be lone? “THE | ISLAND | SCHOOL. pene of i 66 Mrs. Farrell has not suffered as I have done,” he, hall. 4 a ‘ “TJ will go to Mrs. Farrell,” rejoined Jim. “No, you’ taken off the feast and the mirth ; such as there was, ,, oa + 18 ws 7 , Jy ify i 4 ye - r as, oY pe ee ay) al oy y Ng “f ae > 2° . 7 * hy ie oe pd + : 3 ; \ ry < os \ he y Oh Bese is “ae 7 . 4 ' aa pA ; : “w “THE RULING PASSION IS NOT ALLOWED ‘To RULE. ish 4 ze eat ¥ IM degree Be the eh Re : schoolmaster, leaning oi te back in his seat, 7am shut his eyes. The. pet boys and men stood. aa about, talking of the: N - a strange arrival in whispers... Bey They hardly knew what ee ce: to be glad or sorry. ee a vey / i) i Paar tt The return cf the achat we i i master offered several, i problems for solution, none: = i 2 of which were they, in a position to solve. BY ee) KP - Would he SERVI NES again to take the head of ay affairs | ? CK What would be the Digi: that Mrs. Farrell would give him ? : Would he, after all, survive eel terrible privations: he had undergone P These and other dace were whispered about WS . during the twenty minutes Jim was absent from the- BN 4 a %\, d i=) When he Ye it was not Mrs. Farrell who was, ‘ ag with him, but Miss Elegantine. She looked at the- tte P weird figure of the man, prematurely grown old and: hee dirty, ragged, pinched, and but the shadow of his: ea former self, with eyes wide open, unable at the out— on set to sens believe that this indeed was the original, — Napoleon Farrell. He opened his eyes and stared ate her in return. ; Aes a % “So you ore here still : ” he said. AG af iB aN: “Yes,” she replied, “we are.all here; no chaule tio an you, [ am afraid, come; r am going to help you up- } = stairs.” nde We ene rs ‘s “T can’t walk upstairs,” he aneweecdl querulously.. ie “Then I must carry you,” she said, calmly. ie ita He made a movement of dissent, and got upon his: aes, feet. | Me ae “Tf I can have a little r more of that wine, he said,. om ie “T can manage it.” : ee Jim let him have a little more, and, taking the arm: : i of the gaunt woman, the schoolmaster shuffled ACTOSS: tS ws the hall. - Fees i Se oe f - eet - ‘They disappeared, and Jim closed the dean | «A meeting between husband and wife,” he said, en “under such DL SEDE Nea was not for our eyes.” Kei “That is so,” was the general response. Sa They returned to their seats, but.the gilt had been: was forced. | “io a ye - MES To Goce cits see ene Wa: no See see to the et ro Eos yy oe,