The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 69: what you’re looking at

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THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? 63 lus neck, and the sweet girl hid her face on his shoulder. ‘That means yes, does it not, dear?” he asked, and gently raising her face, he gave and received the sweetest kiss of his life. | ‘“T must ask your papa now, dear. I must not conceal anything from him.” “T am afraid, dear Frank, that your mamma will never allow it,” whispered Kate, whose tender little heart was beating at a most rapid rate. “Tam not afraid. I shall be a poor man, and have to work my way in the world. No rich heiress would look at me, so I am sure my dear mother won't object to my marrying you.” Then they began to talk a lot of non- sense that could not possibly be inter- esting to any of our readers. ; After a time Mr. Conway came in, and Frank, in a very straightforward manner, told him all. The old gentleman listened gravely while the young lover pleaded. When Frank paused, he replied— “Tf you are of the same opinion when you reach the age of twenty I shall not object. But let there be no engagement between you, for youth is fickle; you may be parted for a time, and possibly one or the other might find some other object of affection.” “No!” exclaimed Frank. impossible!” And sweet Kate faintly echoed his words. “You think so; but wait till you have seen as much of the world as I have, then you will alter your opinion. Therefore, I will not hear of any formal engagement between you, but both shall remain free to choose elsewhere, if fancy should lead you to do so. There need be no difficulty about your coming here, for I shall always be most happy to see you.” That was all Frank could extract from Mr. Conway, and with it he had to be satisfied. He then asked some questions about the stranger who had been seen to enter the house. “It is “‘ Describe him,” said Mr. Conway. . Frank did so. ‘“‘ L have no very distinct recollection of such a man, but as I am secretary to my trade society, it is quite possible that, such a man may have called to get helped on to the next town.” “Then you think he is a working man?” | *¢ Yes, if he came here.” “Tt can’t be my uncle, then,” ob- served Frank, sotto voce, and he looked towards Mr. Conway. That gentleman’s face, however, hap- pened to be turned away. #* #* # % # #* Blissful beyond comparison was Frank’s walk home from school that night, with Kate Conway’s arm linked in his, Equally blissful were the dreams which visited his sleeping hours. But painful was the scene in the school-room next morning, Doctor Whackley again appeared angry and grieved. When silence had been proclaimed, he addressed another speech to the ex- pectant boys. “T thought,” said he, “when I told you a week agol had lost some bank notes, that some boy had yielded to a momentary temptation, and had com- mitted a single act of dishonesty. But now I find that there is a con firmed thief in the house!” | “Ts it possible?” exclaimed several. ‘It is possible. I have not lost any more notes, but some blank leaves have been taken out of my cheque-book. Let the thief beware how he adds for- gery to his other crimes.” Now, this was not pleasant for the boys. The innocent members of the school, of course, could not tell who was guilty, so that the suspicion was redoubled. A strict watch was kept at the bank; but then country institutions of that kind are not quite so wide-a-wake as large London houses. The doctor had to be continually writing cheques for one and the other, COMM A) DOOKS EO mn