The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? fee Kate spoke with a sneer, which cut, Baynes to the heart. | However, swallowing his rage, he replied— “Has Frank Egerton never said anything of marriage ?” At this insolent query Kate Conway’s temper was fairly aroused. She clenched her little fist, and struck at Baynes with all her strength. Disregarding her impotent rage, the oung ruffian continued— ‘‘] know he has promised to marry you in a few years’ time, but he shall not do so. J will marry you when I am of age, and in proof that I am in earnest, I swear by all the powers that be, you shall not leave this place till you have signed this letter, promising to become my wife |” Baynes’s recent reverses of fortune, together withthe quantity of bad brandy he had swallowed during the past day or two, had rather muddled his head, and made him speak like a melo- dramatic madman. But Kate thought him the most cool and determined ruffian imaginable. “JT will never sign any such letter she boldly replied. | “We will see. Twenty-four hours in this dreary old den may induce you to alter your decision.” He then went out, leaving the hate- ful letter he wicucu ner to sign upon the table, with a pen and pocket ink-bottle. | Kate heard sounds like the fastening ef chains and locks, as Mr. Baynes departed. 1” 123 She was a prisoner then. As soon as his footstepshad died away, she began to examine her prison, a feat rendered possible by the bright harvest moon. The room she was in was some distance above the water, and had +? aaa once been a kind of store- oft. The door was fastened securely, and, there was no way of escape but by the window. Kate looked out. Immediately beneath her was the huge water-wheel, which had escaped the ravages of the fire, and since then had hung and turned at the will of the waters, with a restless, never-ceasing rumble and splash. It was evident she could not escape that way. . She returned to the table in the cen- tre of the room, and catching sight of the hateful letter Baynes had left for her signature, tore it into fifty pieces and threw it -% :ato the stream. Tt... oo secure herself from intru- sion, she piled all the furniture she could move against the door, and tried to rest. But the mournful creaking of the water-wheel, in its never-ceasing revo- lutions, and the strange noises caused by the wind as it whistled through and around the ruined old building, to- gether with the many strange thoughts that kept rushing through her brain, effectually prevented Kate from sleeping. Not till the sun had fairly risen did she close her eyes. Pee ae Se EO DOC A) EO mn