"I am glad of that."
"Would it make any difference with him?"
"I don't know. Any way, I'd rather he wouldn't know it."
Nicholas Thorne sat by his mother's side thoughtful. He was disappointedto think that his mother's means were so limited, since it curtailed hisfuture expectations. The thought of that mother working patiently todefray his expenses at school made comparatively little impression. Hewas essentially selfish, and, so long as his wants were provided for, hecared little who labored for him.
"You don't ask the name of the man who employs me," said his mother.
Nicholas looked up.
"I suppose it is nobody I ever heard of," he said.
"No, you never heard of him, but you know some one connected with him."
"What do you mean?" asked the boy, his curiosity aroused.
"The gentleman who employs me is father of one of your schoolmates."
"Father of one of my school-mates?"
"Yes."
"Who is it? Why don't you tell me, mother?"
"You have spoken of him to me this morning. It is Jasper Kent."
"You work for Jasper Kent's father!" exclaimed Nicholas in unboundedastonishment. "Does he know it?"
"Yes, he knows that I am, or have been, governess in his father'sfamily. But he knows nothing of my connection with you."
"If he knew, he'd taunt me with my mother's being obliged to work for aliving," said Thorne.
"I don't think he would. At any rate, the time is coming very soon whenhe will have no advantage over you."
"How do you make that out, mother?"
"Listen, and keep secret what I tell you. Next week I become hisfather's wife."
"You marry Jasper Kent's father!"
"Yes; I shall be Jasper's step-mother."
"Is old Kent rich?" asked Nicholas, eagerly.
His mother nodded.
"Yes, he is rich; that is, for the country. He is in poor health, too,"she added, significantly.
"Good!" said Nicholas, with satisfaction. "You know how to play yourcards, mother."
The mother smiled.
"My days of dependence are drawing to an end," she said. "Some time Ican do better for you than I am doing now."
CHAPTER III.
JASPER RECOGNIZES THE VISITOR.
"Will the old man do anything for me after he marries you, mother?"asked Nicholas, who never failed to look out for his own interests.
"He doesn't know you are in existence, Nicholas."
"Did you never speak to him of me?"
"No; I didn't dare to tell him."
"Why not?"
"It might prevent his marrying me."
"It seems to me," grumbled Nicholas, "you only thought of yourself. Youdidn't care what became of me."
"That is unjust, Nicholas. You must see that it is. Once we are marriedI shall have more control of money, and if Mr. Kent dies I shall beentitled to a third of his property."
"I wish he'd leave you the whole, and cut off that upstart Jasper," saidNicholas, frowning.
"There is not much chance of that. He thinks everything of Jasper.However, I don't think he'll live long, and I shall induce him, ifpossible, to name me as Jasper's guardian."
"That would be a good job for you, mother--not so good for Jasper, I'mthinking."
"You are right, Nicholas. Did you say you disliked him?"
"Yes, I hate him."
"So do I," said his mother in a low tone, but one of intense energy.
"Why?" asked Thorne, in some curiosity.
"I'll tell you. From my entrance into his father's family he has nevertreated me with any cordiality. Evidently he didn't like me. I think,indeed, he mistrusted me, though I never gave occasion for anysuspicions. If he should learn now that I am to marry his father, hewould move heaven and earth to prevent the marriage."
"Has he been home much since you were in the house?"
"No; he was at school elsewhere, and was only at home during hisvacations."
"How did he come to be sent here to this school? Did you advise it?"
"No; I was opposed to it, but Mr. Kent was recommended by a friend tosend his son here. I did not venture to say much, lest I should be askedhow I came to know anything of the school. I was afraid you and he wouldmeet, and he would learn the connections between us."
"I suppose you'll own up after the wedding, won't you?"
"I think not at once, Nicholas."
"Why not?"
"Remember what I told you, that Mr. Kent is in poor health. He may notlive six months. We can keep the matter secret for that time, can't we,Nicholas?"
"If you were only sure he would die in that time."
"He has heart disease, and is liable to die at any time."
"You want him to make his will first, and leave you guardian?"
"Of course."
"After that you wouldn't mourn very much for his loss?"
"No; I don't pretend to care for him."
"He thinks you do, eh, mother?"
"Of course."
"Oh, you're a deep one, you are," said Nicholas, winking in a way toindicate his shrewd insight into his mother's motives.
"I have to be, Nicholas. There's no getting on in this world without it.But I think I shall have to leave you now."
"Then you don't mean to invite me to the wedding, mother?"
"It will be a private ceremony."
"Will Jasper be invited?"
"His father was anxious to have him at home. Indeed, I have had a greatdeal of trouble to prevent his sending for him, but at length I havesucceeded. I know too well the danger. The boy has a great influenceover his father, whose mind is weakened with his body, and I should beafraid that the match would be broken off even at the last moment if theboy got wind of our plan."
"How mad Jasper will be when he hears of it!" said Thorne, laughing withmalicious enjoyment. "I wish I could tell him."
"Don't breathe a word of it, Nicholas," said his mother, in evidentalarm.
"Oh, I'll keep the secret. But it won't do any harm when it's all over,will it?"
"Say nothing till I authorize it."
"Well, I won't, then, if I can help it. But I say, mother, the oldgentleman will come down handsomely when you're married. You ought toraise my allowance to two dollars a week."
"I will if I can afford it," said his mother. "But I must leave you now,Nicholas. I shall have about time to go to the station and meet the nexttrain."
"Shan't I go with you?"
"I should like your company, my dear boy, but we must be prudent. Wemight meet Jasper Kent."
"That's so. Well, good-bye."
"Good-bye, Nicholas," and his mother pressed her lips upon the cheek ofher son.
He tolerated the kiss, but did not return it. His heart was not veryimpressible, and he cared for no one except himself.
"I won't stop to see Dr. Benton," she said, at parting. "You may tellhim that I was in haste."
"All right."
Mrs. Thorne emerged from the parlor and from the house. She was tall anderect in figure, and walked rapidly. Her face was concealed by a thickveil, but, for the information of the reader it may be described asnarrow and long, with small eyes, like those of Nicholas, and thin,tightly-compressed lips. She was not a woman to yield to misfortune orgive way to sentimental sorrow. She looked rather like one who knew howto face fortune and defy it. It was not a pleasant face, but it wasdecidedly a strong one.
The grounds of the school were extensive, and the house stood back twoor three hundred yards from the street. A long avenue led from the houseto the main thoroughfare.
Mrs. Thorne looked hurriedly about her as she went out on her way.
"I shouldn't like to meet Jasper Kent," she said to herself. "It mightlead to unpleasant questions and suspicions on his part, and I don'twant anything to happen before I am married."
It seemed likely that she would escape the encounter which she dreaded.Had there been no interruption or delay she woul
d have done so; but itwas not so to be. She met Dr. Benton in front of the house, and wascompelled to stop and speak to him.
"You find Nicholas well?" he said, politely.
"Oh, yes, doctor," she answered, softly. "I have no anxiety on thatsubject, as long as he is under your care. I know that he cannot fail todo well."
We all like flattery, and the learned principal was not proof againstit.
"Ahem! Mrs. Thorne," he said, pompously, "we try to do our duty by theyoung people intrusted to our charge. We do not limit our endeavors totheir mental culture, but strive to promote their physical well-beingalso."
"And you succeed remarkably well, Dr. Benton. But you must excuse myleaving you abruptly. I wish to catch the next train."
"I hope we shall see you again soon, madam," said the doctor, politely.
"I shall endeavor to call again before many weeks, Dr. Benton.Good-morning."
"Good-morning, madam."
Mrs. Thorne adjusted her veil and swiftly resumed her course. Her heartgave a bound when, just outside the gate, she espied the well-knownfigure of Jasper Kent.
"I hope he won't recognize me," she thought
But she forgot her peculiar gait, and the quick, rapid step, which werelikely to identify her in the eyes of anyone who had seen her often.Jasper Kent's attention was drawn to her, and he observed thesepeculiarities.
"By Jove!" he said to himself, "she walks just like the governess."
Still, having no reason to suspect the presence of Miss Thorne, as hecalled her, at the school, he would have thought the resemblance onlyaccidental, but for a whiff of wind which blew the veil aside from herface. That face there was no mistaking.
"Miss Thorne!" he exclaimed, in surprise, advancing to meet her.
She was exceedingly vexed, but it would not do to betray it.
"Jasper!" she said, with a smile. "You didn't expect to see me here?"
"No; did you come to see me? Is my father unwell?" he asked, anxiously.
"Your father is quite well."
"Then--"
"Why have I come? I see that is what you wish to ask. I have not come onyour account at all. I came to see a nephew of my own."
"At this school?"
"Yes."
"You must mean Nicholas Thorne."
"Yes; do you know him?"
"A little," said Jasper, with reserve.
"Poor fellow! He has neither father nor mother to look after him, onlymyself. I am his only relative living."
"I never heard you speak of him before."
"No; I have not cared to intrude my private concerns upon your father oryourself. But I must hurry, or I shall be late at the station. Have youany message to send to your father?"
"Give him my love, and tell him to take care of his health for my sake."
"I hope he will do that for all our sakes," said the lady, with affectedwarmth. "Good-bye."
"Good-bye."
Jasper Kent looked after her as she walked rapidly away.
"Why is it that I distrust her so much?" he thought to himself. "So sheis Thorne's aunt. Well, he is not a relation to be proud of."
"How vexatious that I should meet him," thought Mrs. Thorne. "I oughtnot to have run the risk of coming. If he tells Nicholas that I haveadmitted a relationship it may do harm. Once the wedding is over I shallfeel more secure."
CHAPTER IV.
THORNE'S REVENGE.
The unexpected communication which Thorne had received from his motherinfluenced his treatment of Jasper. Under ordinary circumstances hewould have resented bitterly the humiliating defeat he had received atthe hands of the "new boy." Now, however, he felt sure of ultimaterevenge, and was willing to "bide his time."
"Just wait till his father is dead, and mother is his guardian!" he saidto himself. "Then, my young gentleman, your pride'll be taken down, seeif it ain't!"
His politic forbearance surprised the other boys, who did not understandthe secret cause.
"Ain't you goin' to lick that new boy?" asked Tower, a sycophanticfollower of Thorne.
"What for?" asked Nicholas.
"Because he licked you the other day."
"Who says he licked me?" demanded the young tyrant, with a frown.
"Why, all the boys say so," stammered Tower.
"Do you say so?" demanded Nicholas, savagely.
"N-no," said Tower, timidly.
"Lucky you don't," said Thorne, significantly. "I'll lick any boy thattells such a lie about me."
Tower was silent.
"The fact is," he continued, in a milder tone, "we were stopped in themiddle of the fight. I was called to see a lady visitor. But for that Ishould have licked him in the end."
"I guess you can lick him," said the young sycophant.
"Of course I can," said Nicholas, loftily.
"Are you going to try it?"
"Why should I? I haven't anything against him. We came out even. What'sthe use of bearing malice?"
Tower was astonished to hear such sentiments from Thorne. It did notsound at all like him. He was about the last boy who would be singledout for forbearance or forgiveness of injuries. So the younger boyconcluded that his leader was afraid of Jasper. But here he did himwrong. Thorne had learned to respect his adversary's strength and skill,but he would have hazarded a second encounter but for the prudentialreasons already suggested. For the present he thought it best to keepquiet.
Jasper also had made a discovery, though, as we know, the information hehad received was not correct. He supposed Thorne to be a nephew of hisfather's governess, whereas she was his mother.
"Does Thorne know this?" he asked himself.
He could not feel quite satisfied on this point, nor could he determineprecisely how far his feelings were affected by this discovery. He felta dislike toward Thorne on account of his tyrannical disposition andill-treatment of younger boys. He cherished a dislike for the governess,the cause of which he could not as well define. Now, it appeared thatthese two were allied to each other. I beg to say that Jasper was toosensible and gentlemanly to dislike the governess simply because she waspoor. That he knew very well had nothing to do with the substantialworth of a person. But he could not rid himself of the feeling that MissThorne's residence in his father's family portended misfortune to theparent whom he loved so well.
So a week passed without any new disturbance or outbreak between the twoboys. Jasper had been on the lookout, fearing that Thorne would takesome opportunity to wreak vengeance on young Cameron when he was notpresent. But his fears were gradually allayed. Thorne seemed usuallypeaceable--so much so that his school-mates, who knew him well, thoughthe had turned over a new leaf, and speculated as to what had producedthe change. But neither boys nor men change suddenly and completely,though policy and self-interest may for a time lead them to suppress themanifestation of their characteristic traits.
Nine days after the fight recorded in my first chapter, as Jasper waswalking in the school-yard, Davies came up hurriedly.
"Kent," he said, "you're wanted."
"Who wants me?" asked Jasper. "Is it Dr. Benton?"
"No, the doctor's absent."
"Who wants me, then?"
"Little Cameron."
"What! is Thorne at him again?" asked Jasper, stopping short and lookingtoward the house.
"Yes, Thorne's at his old business, bullying him. He took theopportunity when he thought you were out of hearing."
"I must stop it," said Jasper. "Where are they?"
"In the back yard."
"I suppose I shall have to fight him again," said Kent, regretfully.
"You needn't be afraid to try it. You are a match for him."
"I think I am. That is not my reason."
"What then?"
"I don't like fighting--it's brutal. Besides, I have another reason,which I don't care to mention."
By this time they had reached the scene of the difficulty, LittleCameron was half-crying, and Thorne stood over him with upraised arm.
r /> "Do as I tell you, you little blackguard!" he was just saying, when avoice he well knew was heard, calm and resolute:
"Thorne, are you bullying that boy again?"
Nicholas turned and saw his old antagonist. He was sorry to see him, buthe could not well withdraw now.
"It's none of your business," he answered, sullenly.
"I shall make it my business to protect the weak," said Jasper, quietly.
"You may need to protect yourself," sneered Thorne.
"If necessary, I feel competent to do so. Cameron, come here."
"Don't you go!" said Thorne, menacingly.
The little boy looked in terror from one to the other. Evidently hedreaded that the immediate result of his obeying Kent would be toprecipitate a blow from the bully.
Jasper saw the little boy's quandary, and he quickly advanced to therescue. Throwing one arm protectingly round Cameron's waist, he regardedNicholas firmly.
"Well," he said, "what do you propose to do?"
Thorne had had time to think. He hated Jasper worse than ever, but heknew that our hero did not care for blows. Moreover, he was likely togive back better than he received. There was another way of woundinghim, which prudence would have led him to hold in reserve. But he wastoo angry to be prudent. Moreover, he had had a note two days beforefrom his mother, from which he learned that the wedding was to besolemnized on that very day. Probably at that moment his mother was Mrs.Kent.