The Island School — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

Le 1a ts ‘ A TIME OF JOLLITY AND PEACE. It was in Jim’s heart to say that the fate was a ; schoolmaster. Having knocked at the door, he was fitting one for a man he looked upon as a scoundrel, but he refrained. Still he could not help feeling infinite satisfaction as he thought that the island was now probably free of Reonardo’s presence for sood and all. “T never suspected he was poor,” said Jim, for the want of something better to say. “Poor aud proud,” she answered. ‘Too proud to do anything but rob the realm of its dues, and as you now know, to rob a king or queen. He would not,” she added, with a strange pride, “ have taken a ducat from one of humble birth.” | Jim, personally, was unable to distinguish between robbing one person and robbing another. To his English mind theft was theft, whenever and on whom- soever performed. But it seemed that Lucia di Valo was of a different opinion. To Jim’s satisfaction, she . brought the interview to an end. “JT return,” she said, “to my home, to mourn 1f they have cast him into prison, or if he has escaped to seek him. Youngsenor,adieu. It may beforever. You have my good wishes, for you are handsome, and I believe brave. Farewell.” And then, with a swiftly moving step, she vanished from his sight. CHAPTHR XXIV. A TIME OF JOLLITY AND PEACE. ~IM had not felt so much at his ease since he first became aware of the threatened attack by an enemy once unknown, , but whose identity was now Hf, YM fully revealed. He returned Dae ty Lh) Lf to the school with a lght my penuyHy/\ step, debating in his mind on the way what policy to Should he entirely relieve the mind of the schoolmaster, or let him live on in suspense awhile longer ? On the whole he was inclined to act on the latter lines, because he despised the cowardly spirit shown by aman who, with his name and his assumptions, ought to have exhibited a more manly front to the foe. But then he thought of Eveline, of whom he was often thinking, and for her sake he eventually decided on doing all he could to bring peace to the mind of Mr. Farrell. Accordingly, on his entering the house and finding it quiet, for the boys had not yet left their work and come in to tea, Jim went to the private room of the pursue. : + : ~*~ t, LP Aids ee i tr —_—_——— ee + ee EEE what it is,’ bidden to come in. Jim entered, and discovered the schoolmaster sitting at his table writing. Jim caught sight of the heading of the document, which was “ The last will and testament——” and smiled. | “T am sorry to intrude upon you at this moment, sir,” said Jim, “‘ but I have a matter of much import to tell you of.” | “It seems to me,’ replied Mr. Farrell, irmtably, “that matters of import are always being thrust under my nose.” “Tt 1s something I thought you would like to hear,” said Jim, “ butas you are busy, sir, I will leave it for the time.” ‘As you are here, Gordon, you may as well tell me ’ said the schoolmaster, more briskly. “T will begin, sir, with asking a question. Is not the man you have been troubled with named Reo- nardo P” “ftis. But, in the name of goodness, Gordon, what do you know about him ?” ‘‘T know that he hasrecently been on the island for some felonious purpose, and he was the leader of a small gang scared away by Morse with his explosives. But the scoundrel has got into further trouble. He has been robbing one of the royal castles, and the Spanish Government has set a price upon his eap- ture.” “How did you learn this, Gordon P” “Will you excuse me if I do not tell you? JI feel I am bound to keep ita secret, Butthe great fact for you to think of sir,is, that he isa proscribed man, and will have to hide away, probably in some distant country.” “Tam obliged to you, Gordon, of course,’ said the schoolmaster, with a gracious, condescending air, “but I never was in fear of the scoundrel.” Jim could have assaulted him for his ingratitude, and the ready way he resumed his old Napoleonie air, as soon as he learnt that he no longer had anything to fear. But he kept his countenance, as in a quiet way sarcastically rejoined: ‘‘T did not assume, sir, that you feared him. I merely thought the news that the fellow is not hkely to trouble you again, would be welcome.” “Tt is,’ said Mr. Farrell. “ I look at your intention more than the necessity forthe information. Youare one of the most worthy boys in the school, and I respect you highly.” He said this as a monarch might pay a deserved compliment to an inferior who had well and faithfully performed his duty. Jim said he hoped he should always deserve his good opinion, and retired. “1’m blessed,” he muttered, as soon as he got out- side the door, “ if he isn’t the biggest humbug going. comicboo <S$:¢com