Jack and His Seven Foes — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

130 said Ralph, “the Panther, with his gipsy eyes, and the Settler, who could do a bit of housebreaking on a pinch. Oh, yes, I know ’em all. 4 « Good,” said Jack, “‘ you are a true friend, honest Ralph. Now, when will you travel that way again Pare “When you please,” was the ready reply. “ Within a week?” aaa & I] go to-morrow. It don’t matter to me,’ said Ralph ; “the country 18 pretty much alike.” “Then I will get you to leave a written message with the Settler,” said Jack. ‘ You can doit openly or secretly.” ‘Which you please,”’ said Ralph. ‘“‘ Perhaps he had better not know my messenger,’ rejoined Jack. “I will give you the letter by-and-by.” He left them, and entered the house of Abel Newcombe. There was no in- termediate passage or hall; the open door led straight into a huge kitchen. A number of hams and sides of bacon, and various and many other good thin were hanging from the rafters, and scattered about were chairs and cooking utensils without stint. It was a model of the opulent settler’s home, as the house was throughout. A fire burned on the hearth, and nea it stood a woman, who might have been forty, but looked younger, and near her was a girl of eighteen, whose cheeks deepened in colour as Jack came in. The mother had been very pretty, and was remarkably good-looking still. No move silky hair ever crowned the head of woman, nor eyes of deeper blue ever beamed upon man, and rosier cheeks or riper lips never helped a woman to be charming. Annie was hke her mother, as pretty, if not prettier, than she had been in her young days, and no further description is needed. Jack looked tenderly at her as he drew up to her side, and gave the message he was entrusted with. Then he sat down. “Well, Mr. Restless,” said Mrs. Newcombe, with a good-humoured shake of the head, “what have you doing with yourself to-day ?”’ ‘“‘ Nothing,” Jack answered. “T don’t like lazy men,” said Mrs. Newcombe. been | | Jack, rising. JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. “Jack is not lazy,” ‘“‘when you were unwell, he rode forty miles cut and home to get you some medicine, and never halted to rest.” Oh, don’t mention that little affair,” said Jack; ‘‘it was nothing.” “YT don’t forget it,’ replied the matron; “but I speak for his good. He’s young, and strong, and there’s a fortune here for him if he will only put his hand to it—’’ _“ By-and-by,”’ said Jack. ‘‘By-and-by is no day,” returned Mrs. Newcombe. ‘‘ Come, Annie, can’t you persuade him to stick more to work ?”’ “Tf anyone could, Annie is her name, said Jack; “but I cannot begin to i here just vet. I’m going away.” The colour fled from Annie’s cheek, and Mrs. Newcombe turned upon him a look of the utmost amazement. — “Going away !”’ she exclaimed. “Yes; to-morrow, perhaps—in a few days at farthest.” & And how long will you be gone this time P ’ “1 cannot tell.” “Oh,” exclaimed Mrs. “just lke your sex !”’ ‘“‘ Believe me, I am sorry to go,” Jack. “And we shall be so sorry, too,” Mrs. Newcombe, “for both Abel and myself like you. We don’t know your business here, and we are not curious about it, but whether it’s good or bad, we like you.” | “Tt is just,” said Jack. ‘“T’ve no doubt about it,’ said Mrs. Newcombe; “you are honest enough. But there, I’ve said enough. i you must go, you must, and if you've set your mand on it, you will go in spite of any of us.’ “Ttisa matter of duty,” said Jack, turning his face towards Annie. Newcombe, said said said Annie; But she stood with her eyes cast down, - and neither moved nor spoke. But he saw that her eyelashes were quivering, and there was a suspicion of a tear under them. “YT won't say any more now,” said “We shall have a long talk before I go. Shall I find Mr. Newcombe P”’ “Aye, do,” said the matron, “ and ECOMICOOOKS.eE@