The Island School — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

JIMS RETURN TO THE CASTLE. ing off the lock, the door of the tower, and it will suffice for the present to state that. he found a wind- ing staircase leading to the top. He ascended it, passimg on his way several landings, where there were doors also locked, and belonging to chambers which he did not attempt to inspect, but left them as tid- bits to enjoy in Jim’s company when he came back. It was getting towards night, for what with various haltings, and the boys tiring more than they expected, darkness must fall ere the gates of the castle opened to welcome back the gallant band. Morse descended below, and called the boys together, and told them the good news, doubly wel- come because the absence of Jim and those with him had extended beyond the time arranged, and not a little anxiety was felt on their account. And there was one in the castle whom Morse knew had been especially anxious. It was Eveline, whom \forse in person sought in the part of the castle which she occupied with her mother. He found them ina chamber with bare stone walls and furnished with rather a meagre assortment of necessaries, with their hands folded before them. They were discussing Jim, and in their many natural apprehensions even the knitting-needles were laid aside. “You bring good news?” cried Eveline, springing up, and eagerly scanning his face. “They will be here in an hour,” said Morse. On the impulse of the moment, Eveline felt inclined to kiss him, as the bearer of good tidings, but she checked herself, and merely shook him by the hand. Mrs. Farrell was also delighted, and they went up to the tower with Morse to see if they could get a glimpse of the wanderers. it was a toilsome journey to perform, but Eveline made light of it. She was indeed the first to reach the summit, and she was just in time to catcha glimpse of the tail-end of the party ere the woods and slope hid them from view. It was getting dusk, for the sun was down, and she could not distinguish anyone clearly, but she fancied she saw Jim, and waved her hand on speculation. To her great delight, the salute was returned. Mrs. Farrell arrived in time to be too late, but she was satisfied with Eveline’s assurance that she had ' seen Jim, and he had seen her. ** And they are all carrying something,” she said, “so we shall not starve for the present, mamma.” The hubbub and excitement down among the boys was intense, and Morse, on going below, found that the gates had been opened, and some of the boldest gone down to meet the returning party. “Hang it !’ muttered Morse, “ just like boys. Risky, but it can’t be helped.” He waited patiently for their return. and was glad when he heard the hum of voices as the boys came No. 13S. | | 193 up the path, the last out of the castle assisting those who were weary of their burdens. “‘A complete success,’ said Jim, and he grasped Morse’s extended hand; “but a lot of things to tell you. Farrell and the two other masters are behind.” “Good heavens !” “We must make the best of them. But I, for one, will have no more nonsense from Farrell or anyone.” “ Quite right. Go on; I think you will find Eveline in the banqueting-room.” Jim lost no time in seeking Eveline. He found her and Mrs. Farrell, too. Hearty greetings were ex- changed between them, and then Jim told them of Mr. Farrell’s return. “Evy,” said Mrs. Farrell, “I think I had better not meet him here, or you, dear, either. We had better retire to our rooms.” It was a wise step to take, for the meeting between husband and wife could not be very agreeable. Hvery time Mr. Farrell took a step of the nature he had last shown, he inevitably sank in the estimation of his wife and daughter. Mrs. Farrell especially felt it, for she was obliged to admit thatif her husband had remained in charge of the school, all would ere now have been sacrificed to the Spaniards. The lives of the entire body within the castle-walls had been saved by the courage and ability of two mere boys, Gordon and Morse. Struggle as she might against the feeling, she could dono less than despise the man she had vowed at the altar to love and obey. Presently all were in, and the castle-gates closed. The big hall was filled with an excited throng, ex- changing notes on the events of the past day or so- All but Chorker were there, and he, forreasons that are obvious, had failed to overtake the party. As long as daylight lasted, that hapless old sinner was busy looking for the things he had buried. . He went back to the right place, sure enough, but failing to find what he had hidden, it dawned upon him that he had mistaken the place. So he went prowling up and down that narrow rent in the earth, scraping and scratching at every likely spot, and find- ing nothing, to his overwhelming despair. At the time they were making merry in the hall he was squatted on the sand in the narrow rift, a prey to overwhelming fears. The “joke” he had played at the schoolmaster’s expensehad taken a very serious turn. Whatever was the nature of the interview between Mr. Farrell and his wife, it was very short. He came down from her presence with a very ruffled look, but dogged withal. He was master there, and the ciosed gates of the castle gave his weak nature another chance of displaying his sham courage. nN (@ 900 (@( 0) cs (@{ 0) mn