The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

en 88 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. and all that; but I wish he was at the bottom of the sea, and out of the way. “‘T hate that fellow. “T saw him a few evenings since; if I meet him again I'll have a little private chat with him, and sound him ! ‘“‘T shouldn’t wonder, though, if he zs after her. “T see her go out frequently in the afternoon for a walk ; I would lay a wager that she meets him !” This latter thought stung Charley to the quick, and he sighed very deeply. As he entered the parlour one bright afternoon, he discovered Clara sitting in the shadows of the window-curtains, She held something in her hand, and kissed it! The heart of Charley Warbeck beat very quickly. She was apparently absorbed in thought, and knew nothing of his presence in the apartment. He noiselessly approached nearer to her, and observed that she had a note in her lap, and fre- quently glanced at it. There was no longer room for doubt, he imagined. His worst suspicions were realized. * “ She loves another,” was his conclusion; and he involuntarily sighed aloud. This awoke Miss Clara from her reverie. She placed the note and likeness in her bosom, and rose to depart. Her manner was coid, and tinged with sadness. As she passed him, she slightly bowed, never raised her eyes, and moved towards the door with a dignified and graceful ‘step. Charley never felt so sick at heart in his life before, and thought that Clara looked more bloom- ing than ever. In truth Miss Clara certainly did look captivating on this particular afternoon. She was a brunette, of medium height, and symme- trically developed ; her curls waved about her shoulders with every gust of air. Her dress was of light blue, somewhat low-necked, and over her bust she wore beautiful lace, with sleeves of the same material. Charley had not intended to speak to her. But, as she was about to leave the room, he mustered all his firmness, and calmly said— “ Miss Clara, I——” She turned her face, now slightly flushed, and said— “Sir ?” very coldly. He placed a chair for her in the deepest shadows of the room, and said— “ Miss Haylark, you will really excuse me being so rude, but your looks are so sad of late, and your manners so altered towards me, that Iam perplexed and concerned to know the cause. “You, Clara, who were my only friend in hours of adversity, surely you will not follow the example of the world, and look upon me with contempt or disdain ? “T am unworthy to address you, it is true, but do—I beg of you to explain what I have done to destroy that friendship which has so long existed between us ? Tell me why you avert your face, and why your eyes are filled with tears ?” Charley could say no more, His heart was full, “Forgive me, Clara, if I have offended you,” were the only words he uttered, And as he stood beside her chair, and saw her weeping, without making any reply, he felt like a child, and could have almost wept himself, oA JA CT Gomilcbooks:¢om For some time the lovers maintained silence, broken only by a suppressed sob from Clara. At last Charley took her hand, and with much gallantry, kissing it, said, ‘Were Ia prince I could not rejoice in anything more precious than your friendship, Clara. ‘Tf I had a throne I would ask you to share it. ‘‘T would ask you to smile upon me, and bestow your hand upon me, for Heaven only knows how much I love you, Clara, and Heaven only is the witness of its sincerity. ‘“T cannot look up to you with confidence, al- though I love you heart and soul. “ You are too good, too holy, for one like me to aspire to. “Yet believe me when I utter these true and honest words, that, disowned as I am by a cold, cold world, and looked upon with suspicion, my soul is as free from guilt as it ever was in-the sight of God, and the only tie that keeps me in the world, the only regret I should have in quitting it, is the contemplation of one I adore with all the power of my mind and soul.” Charles kissed her hand again and rose to depart. “ Stay,” said Clara, speaking for the first time, slowly, and almost in a whisper ; ‘“ However unin- telligible your character is, or may have been, to others, Mr. Warbeck, I have always looked upon you a3 a friend, and confess it openly everywhere, Charles. “‘ Were the worl to be ten times as cold as it is towards you, I should never, never change, believe me.”’ This little outburst of honest feeling was too much for Clara’s feelings. She endeavoured to conceal her tears, but they coursed down her cheeks thick and fast until her breast heaved with emotion, and she audibly sobbed. She rose in a hasty manner to leave the room. Charley was fired with love, and caught her to his heart. And she leaned her little head upon his shoulder confidingly, nor did she struggle or resist the many kisses he rapturously bestowed upon her, but ° sat on the sofa by his side. And in a long conversation, carried on in whispers, the only two words which Dame Worthington slyly overheard were, © Will you, Clara ?” “ Yes, Charles.” GIVEN AW avy!! SCENES, SHEETS OF CHARACTERS, AND A LARGE STAGE FRONT FOR A NEW PLAY, CALLED “ALONE IN THE PIRATES’ LAIR.” READ THE “BOYS OF ENGLAND,’ AND SECURE THE ABOVE MAGNIFICENT GIFTS. ONE PENNY WEEKLY,