The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

nn ———————————————— — Ee | THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 117 “¢T feel certain of that. You may rest assured he will never die a natural death, if he lives a hun- dred years.’ “ Ashton spoke in parables to the old man, who did not comprehend; but there was so much earnest- ness and solemnity in his few words, that Colonel Temple was curious to divine his meaning, but could not, ““*T do not understand you yet, sir,’ said the old colonel, with a red face. ‘I know that there is a strong party growing up in the land against King Charles; but surely Captain Lawrence can have nothing to do with it? He is too young yet to be mixed up deeply in politics.’ “* No, colonel, he is not; but, on the contrary, is one of the finest writers of the day, and has aided the king’s cause not a little.’ “ « Indeed.’ “<¢ Yes, Do you know much of this Redgill, who was at Lord Stoner’s ball to-night ?’ “< Redgill—yes. He is one of the loud-mouthed party who cry against the king, and that, for one reason, makes them enemies. But you do not mean to say, surely, that Redgill did this horrid deed ?’ “¢ All I mean to say, colonel, is this,’ said Ash- ton—‘ there is a deadly hatred between them, for I believe Redgill has offered his hand to your daugh- ter Clare, and been refused.’ “< Why, I’d rather have the devil for a son-in- law than him. But what makes your lip tremble, Ashton ?’ “* Because I hold a great secret regarding Law- rence !’ *<TIndeed !’ “Yes; but before I tell it to you let me ask you one question.’ “¢« Name it,’ “¢ Would you ever object to Clare marrying the man of her choice ?’ “““ Marrying the man of her choice ?’ said the old colonel, in surprise. ‘ Why, of course not; if he was a fit and proper person, you know.’ ““¢ Well, if Lawrence here were to propose for your daughter, I mean.’ “*T should not; but still I can scarcely under- stand you, for, if he lives, I think he will aspire to one of rank and station, But if he did propose for Clare I should have no objection in the world. Bu you must understand, Ashton, that I speak thus in all confidence, for I fancy he would never do so, for, until very lately, Clare has been most distant to- wards him, and why it is that she shows so much liking for his company now is a puzzle to me.’ “Well, then, colonel,’ said Ashton, ‘as you have been so open-minded to me in this matter I will act likewise, and tell you all Iknow. Do you see any likeness in Lawrence to any great living per- sonage ?’ asked Ashton, in a serious mood. “ A likeness to any living personage ?’ said the colonel, with an uncertain look. ‘Why, now I come to gaze on him the more, I think I do.’ ‘‘ And whom does he resemble, think you ?’ “¢ Why, he is as much like what King Charles used to be when a young man as two peas in a pod,’ said the colonel. ‘I have often heard it remarked before.’ “¢ Yea, he is like the king,’ said Ashton, ‘and I have remarked it also, but never named it to him ; but certain circumstances have transpired to-day which make me think that there is more than a likeness between them.’ ©‘ Indeed | how ?’ said the colonel, astonished and interested. “© At the review there were many distinguished people present, nobles among the number,’ comicboooks. conn “<¢T know it.’ “‘But you do not know that the king was there ?’ *«¢ You are surely joking ?’ “‘T am not, colonel, for after the review was all over, the king, disguised as an ordinary gentleman, went boldly up to the principal of the academy, and had a long conversation with him about Lawrence. They did not perceive me, for I was sitting at my window reading, yet, as they walked to and fro, I could hear much of what they said.’ *¢ And what did they say ?’ “¢The king’s disguise was diseovered by the president, and the monarch did not deny it, but in the course of conversation confessei1 that he had always felt great interest in Lawrence’s progress, for he was his own son.” “‘¢ His own son!’ said the astonished colonel. “¢ Yes, his own son—illegitimate, it is true, but nevertheless, his own true offspring.’ “¢¢ And who was the mother ?’ “¢ That I did not then learn ; but when Lawrence first came among us as a mere boy to the academy he wore a locket round his neck which was unmis- takably the portrait on ivory of the young and fascinating Duchess of Buckingham. (See Cut in No, 13), From this I gather that she must have been his mother.’ “‘T am astonished,’ said the colonel. ‘And has not the king, then, provided for his after welfare ?’ “¢ Without a doubt. I heard him say that some grand and vast estates in France had been passed over to him, and that a large sum in money would be his when he married ?’ “¢Then Lawrence is a false name—he is the king’s bastard ?’ said the colonel, “¢ He is,’ said Ashton. : “‘¢ Then he shall never marry my daughter,’ said Colonel Temple. ‘‘No bastard shall ever enter my family ! “ And so speaking he left the apartment, with a flushed face, and Ashton remained alone by the bedside of his wounded comrade, who was sighing in his troubled dreams and moaning. “Memories of years past flitted through his troubled brain, and the image of his adored one, Clare Temple, held supreme possession of all his faculties, ‘‘He had seen and known her when but a child. “ She used to pass the college gardens on her way to school, with books and slate and dimity sun- bonnet trimmed with blue. ‘Years had passed. “She grew into girlhood, and short frocks and sun-bonnet gave place to a seminary uniform of blue- gauze and white chip quaker scoop, and her light and airy manner changed to that of a studious seminarianne in her teens. “He had spoken to her, but met with no response. “He had anonymously written poems and tales in her honour. “ But all had passed unnoticed. “She treated him with cold respect, and met his timid overtures with blunt rebuffs. “ He had met her on the road and in the woods. ‘But she passed him with a distant bow. “ Yetif in the greatest glee his presence chilled her into unusual coldness, and although unconscious of the cause she could neither sing nor play in his presence. “Lawrence had often confessed that his ease was hopeless. “Many disliked him from some cause ; and, fol- lowing in their footsteps, Clare, he thought, treated him with marked indifference. “Tt must be confessed, however, that although