Frank and Fearless | Page 8

which he learned that the wedding was to be
solemnized on that very day. Probably at that moment his mother was

Mrs. Kent.
"I won't fight," he said, with an unpleasant smile, "seeing we're
relations."
"Relations!" repeated Jasper, with a look of surprise and inquiry. "I
don't know what you mean."
"You'll know soon enough," said Thorne, mockingly.
A suspicion of the truth entered Jasper's mind. He turned pale, and said:
"Will you step aside with me, Thorne, and tell me what you mean!"
"If you like," said Thorne, indifferently.
"Now," said Jasper, when they had withdrawn a few rods from the
other boys.
"It appears you haven't heard the news," said Thorne, with malicious
enjoyment. "Your father has married my mother. That makes us
step-brothers, doesn't it?"
"My father married again!" said Jasper, recoiling as if he had received a
blow.
"Yes. Strange you wasn't invited to the wedding, isn't it?"
An hour later Jasper, having obtained special permission from Dr.
Benton, was on his way home, sick with apprehension lest this
threatened misfortune should prove real.
CHAPTER V.
JASPER'S RETURN HOME.
His father married again, and he left in ignorance of his intention!
Jasper felt hurt that his father, for whom he cherished so deep and
warm an affection, should have taken such a step without apprising him

of it in advance. If he was to marry, certainly his only son ought to
have been present at the wedding.
"But it isn't father's fault," he thought, bitterly. "It's the fault of Miss
Thorne. She is more artful and designing even than I thought. She has
married my father for his wealth and position, and she was afraid I
would dissuade him from such a step."
It was certainly a bitter thought that he must look upon this woman as
his step-mother--that she was to take the place of the mother whom he
tenderly remembered, though six years had passed since she left him.
But, after all, was it true? Might it not be the case that Thorne, who
evidently disliked him, had fabricated the story in order to annoy him?
There was a gleam of comfort in this, and he felt that he would
willingly run the risk of being laughed at for having started on a
"wild-goose chase" if only his fears could be relieved. But, after all,
there was the possibility--nay, the probability, considering what he
knew of Miss Thorne--that Thorne's story was all true.
The cars stopped for a brief minute at the depot in Morton, Jasper's
destination, and he jumped out. He looked eagerly about him to see if
there was anyone of whom he could ask information. To his joy he
caught sight of John, a serving-man in his father's employ.
"Halloo, John!" he cried, "give me a hand with my valise!"
"Why, Master Jasper!" returned John, in evident surprise, "I didn't
know you were coming home."
"I am not expected," said Jasper. "I came at a moment's notice."
"You're too late for the wedding, Master Jasper."
"For the wedding!" repeated Jasper, his heart sinking at this
confirmation of his worst fears.
"Yes; didn't you know of it?"

"I heard something, but not much. Tell me about it. When did it take
place?"
"At ten o'clock this morning."
"At the house?"
"No; your father and the governess walked over to the church, and were
married private like. There was nobody invited, but we were all
surprised that you didn't come to it."
"I knew nothing about it," said Jasper, sadly.
"It was Miss Thorne's doings, then--leastways, I must say Mrs. Kent's,
now."
"I know it, John. My father would not have treated me that way. How
long has it been going on--the--"
"The courtship? Well, that was all on the side of Miss Thorne, I'm
thinkin'. She wheedled your father into marrying her."
"I wish I had been here."
"Poor man! he felt too weak to resist, and he did it only because she
teased him. I can take my oath of that."
"It is infamous!" said Jasper. "Have they gone away?"
"No; they ain't goin', I've heard. Your father don't feel able to travel,
and the governess--I mean your step-mother--she don't care much.
They're at home now."
"Then I will go up. I suppose they will be surprised to see me."
"Yes, they will, but your father'll be glad. He sets the world by you,
Master Jasper."
"I believe he does, John," said Jasper. "I wish I could have saved him

from this misfortune."
"It's too late now entirely."
"You are right. I don't know but it might be best for me to turn round
and go back again to school without going to the house at all; but I
must face this thing, and see for myself. If you've got nothing else to do,
John,