Frank and Fearless | Page 6

Had there been no interruption or delay she would have done so; but it
was not so to be. She met Dr. Benton in front of the house, and was
compelled to stop and speak to him.
"You find Nicholas well?" he said, politely.
"Oh, yes, doctor," she answered, softly. "I have no anxiety on that
subject, as long as he is under your care. I know that he cannot fail to
do well."
We all like flattery, and the learned principal was not proof against it.
"Ahem! Mrs. Thorne," he said, pompously, "we try to do our duty by
the young people intrusted to our charge. We do not limit our
endeavors to their mental culture, but strive to promote their physical
well-being also."
"And you succeed remarkably well, Dr. Benton. But you must excuse
my leaving 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
heart gave a bound when, just outside the gate, she espied the
well-known figure of Jasper Kent.
"I hope he won't recognize me," she thought
But she forgot her peculiar gait, and the quick, rapid step, which were
likely to identify her in the eyes of anyone who had seen her often.
Jasper Kent's attention was drawn to her, and he observed these
peculiarities.
"By Jove!" he said to himself, "she walks just like the governess."
Still, having no reason to suspect the presence of Miss Thorne, as he
called her, at the school, he would have thought the resemblance only
accidental, but for a whiff of wind which blew the veil aside from her
face. 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
on your 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, only
myself. 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
or yourself. But I must hurry, or I shall be late at the station. Have you
any 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 affected
warmth. "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 she
is Thorne's aunt. Well, he is not a relation to be proud of."
"How vexatious that I should meet him," thought Mrs. Thorne. "I ought
not to have run the risk of coming. If he tells Nicholas that I have
admitted a relationship it may do harm. Once the wedding is over I
shall feel more secure."
CHAPTER IV.
THORNE'S REVENGE.

The unexpected communication which Thorne had received from his
mother influenced his treatment of Jasper. Under ordinary
circumstances he would have resented bitterly the humiliating defeat he
had received at the hands of the "new boy." Now, however, he felt sure
of ultimate revenge, and was willing to "bide his time."
"Just wait till his father is dead, and mother is his guardian!" he said to
himself. "Then, my young gentleman, your pride'll be taken down, see
if it ain't!"
His politic forbearance surprised the other boys, who did not
understand the secret cause.
"Ain't you goin' to lick that new boy?" asked Tower, a sycophantic
follower 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 that
tells such a lie about me."
Tower was silent.
"The fact is," he continued, in a milder tone, "we were stopped in the
middle of the fight. I was called to see a lady visitor. But for that I
should have licked him in