The Island School — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

120 THE ISLAND SCHOOL. Eveline made no answer. The convenience of Mr. Groby was about the last thing she would trouble her- self about. She increased her pace, if anything, and forged ahead. Suddenly it flashed on the master that the bast thing he could do would be to let her go on alone. She would then, as he believed, fall an easy prey to Reonardo, and when missed, he would not be implicated. There would be no need then to secure Mrs. Farrell. This lady was keeping him company, and bewailing the wilfulness of Eveline, who was “spoilt by her father, a deserter from the island.” | Mrs. Farrell, of late, spoke of her husband as if he had deserted from the army. So she lingered with the master, and Eveline vanished out of sight. Panting and puffing, Mr. Groby halted at intervals by the way, apologising to Mrs. Farrell for his lack of speed, which he declared arose from his having been recently indisposed. ‘““ But we shall not be far behind Miss Farrell,” he said. ‘‘I know the spot she has selected to sketch from,” “Mr. Groby,” said Mrs. Farrell, ‘can you tell me what has become of Gordon, Morse, and others of the boys that are missing ?” ‘They are playing the gipsy somewhere,” he replied. “The lax hand Mr. Farrell had over the boys was very injurious to discipline. But in resuming our duties next term, that will be remedied.” ‘Napoleon was too easy,” said Mrs. Farrell, “ but he was a great organiser.” | “Undoubtedly he had that gift,” was the dry re- sponse; ‘‘especially when assisted by tourist agents. However, he is gone, and until he ‘returns or writes, I shall consider it my duty to do all I can for you.” “Mr. Groby,” said Mrs. Farrell, casting a shy up- ward glance at him, “ lam sure you area true friend. | And sometimes I feel that you aspire to be something more.” ‘“‘T do indeed,” he said. “Unhappily, Iam not yet free,” sighed Mrs. Farrell, ‘so we must not get foolish with each other.” “Certainly not,” hastily responded Mr. Groby, aghast to find what sort of friend she wished him to be. “Shall we hasten on? LEveline—may I call her Eveline?” ‘‘Surely ; she is only a girl,” replied Mrs. Farrell. “Eveline will by this time have settled to her work,” continued Mr. Groby. “ Yonder, just beyond that clump of trees, is the plateau where she will sketch from.” He was all ears, listening for some sound or sign of commotion, but could hear nothing, and he was puzzled. “But perhaps they have done their work swiftly and silently,” he mused. “If so, all the better.” As he drew nearer the\plateau, which was not more than twenty feet square, the silence was profound. It appeared that Eveline was no longer there, or within hail. And so it proved to be. The plateau was empty. Not the slightest vestige of Eveline or her belong- ings could be seen. “This is the place,” said Mr. Groby, assuming a bewildered look. “Surely Eveline has not been mad enough to go on to the castle. If so,” he added, in a tone of alarm, “she runs the risk of falling in with one of the bears that have recently made it the‘r lair.” “Oh, Mr. Groby!” exclaimed Mrs. Farrell, “ you do not mean to say that the story of the bears there is true P” “Tt is indeed. I have personally encountered them, and suffered material injury.” “ My poor child!” cried Mrs. Farrell, wringing her hands. “Mr. Groby, will you go to her help ?” “ Well, really, my dear madam,” he began, really alarmed now on his own account, “ I—I y | “JT will goif you do not,” pursued Mrs. Farrell, “ for I am a mother above all things.” She began her journey upward, and he, for very shame, perforce followed her. But not for any great distance. | : A few yards up the path there was a turning, and, as they reached it, Charley, the bear, was seen leisurely coming down. Mrs. Farrell screamed, and, fainting in right earnest she fell into the arms of Mr. Groby, whose very hair bristled with natural alarm. Muttering anathemas on the head of his burden, he nastened down, dragging her with him. Charley leisurely followed until the plateau was reached, and there the intelligent animal stopped and exhibited his vast proportions by rising on his hind legs. Mr. Groby, remembering his former encounter with the beast, hastened downward until a glance back- ward showed that he was no longer being pursued. Then, out of breath and all round pretty well ex- hausted, he stopped, and restored Mrs. Farrell to consciousness by shaking her. It took some time to make her aware of the position of affairs as viewed by Mr. Groby. He had not the least doubt that Eveline had fallen a victim to the ' bear. It was very bitter news for the mother, who, with all her petty faults, loved her child, and felt the loss of her more keenly than she did the desertion of the redoubtable Napoleon. Sobbing, she was assisted home by Mr. Groby, who, having seen her safe, set out at once for the chine. com choo €S com