The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? ey wetep ere ~ oe “ So would I. But, Frank, I am not going to stay in bounds for three weeks.” ““Y don’t think I shall. But, good- night, old fellow; I am most: awfully sleepy.” The two boys then sought their re- 43 ——, Gl spective couches, to dream of the pretty creatures they had been dancing with. Hope whispered in their ears that time might and would remove many of the obstacles that stood in the way of the attainment of their wishes, QRS wR SD CHAPTER XI. CHANGED PROSPECTS. A WEEK passed away. Neither Frank Egerton nor the Earl of Pembridge had as yet gone beyond the boundary prescribed. Charlie Fitz- gerald, not being in love, took his pun- ishment more calmly, though the con- finement was very irksome even to him. _ One morning Frank received a letter. “It was in his mother’s handwriting, but Egerton was compelled to read it through twice ere he could thoroughly comprehend it. _“ My darling Frank,” it said. * You must ask doctor Whackley to allow you to return home immediately. Your father is very, very ill, and I fear fur the result. His unfortunate city speculations have been the ruin of his health. So come home at once, dear Frank, to your affectionate, grieving mother. ‘© ADA EGERTON.” Frank at once rushed off to Doctor Whackley’s study, showed him the letter, and was told that he might start immediately. Two or three of his friends assisted him to pack up his portmanteau, and then saw him off to the railway station. How long the journey seemed com- pared with that to school, and how different everything appeared. At length he reached London. Calling a cab, he jump into it, and was speedily driven to his father’s town residence. | His mamma was waiting for him in the hall, and as Frank leaped from the vehicle, he could see that she had been weeping. In an instant he clasped her in his arms and kissed her. “You must not worry yourself, my dear mamma,” said he. “ All wili be well in a few days.” Mrs. Egerton’s only answer was a sob. ‘¢ And how is papa ?” The sobs increased, but in the midst of them Frank fancied he heard the solemn word, “ DEAD!” So sudden, so solemn and fearful was the news that it proved too much foreven the healthy nerves ofthe boldest boy of Lexicon College. He swooned, On his recovery, he found himself lying upon a couch, by the side ot which knelt his mother impioring the powers above to grant the widow and the orphan strength to bear the great trial that had befallen them. * Three days elapsed. All that was mortal of poor Frank's father had been consigned to the tomb, EO DOC (CO mn