FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115  
116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   >>   >|  
rdon Sir Robert!" cried Andrew, bringing his fist down upon the table heavily. "I think he will," said Captain Murray; "for his Majesty is a keen man of the world, a good soldier, and a good judge of soldiers. I think that out of policy, and the knowledge that he is very unpopular, he may think it wise to pardon a gallant officer, and to bring him back into the ranks of the men whom he can trust." "Yes, yes," cried Frank excitedly; and his eyes brightened as he treasured up words, every one of which would, he felt sure, gladden his mother's heart. "Hadn't you better get up and see if any one is listening at the door, Captain Murray?" said Andrew sarcastically. "Because my words sound treasonable, my lad?" "Yes, and may be magnified by the echoes of the Palace walls, sir." The big, frank officer sank back in his chair, and laughed merrily. "You're a queer fellow, Forbes--a clever fellow--with a splendid memory; but--there, don't feel insulted--you must have been meant for a woman: you have such a sharp, spiteful tongue. No, no, no--sit still. You must take as well as give. Do you two ever fall out, Frank? He's as hot as pepper." "Yes, often," said Frank, smiling; "but we soon make it up again, for he's about the bravest and best fellow I ever knew." As Frank spoke, he reached over and gripped his friend's arm warmly. "You don't know how good and kind and helpful he has been in all this trouble." "I believe it," said Captain Murray, smiling. "He's a lucky fellow too, for he has won a good friend. You hear, Hotspur? A good friend in Frank here, who is the very spit of his father, one of the bravest, truest soldiers that ever lived." These words were said in a way which made Frank feel a little choky, and turned the tide of Andrew Forbes's anger, which now ebbed rapidly away. "You'll come to me, my lads, both of you, if you want help?" said the captain, at their parting an hour later. "Yes, of course," cried Frank eagerly; but Andrew Forbes was silent. "And you, Andrew lad. Gowan asked me to be a friend to you too; for he said that Lady Gowan liked you, and that it was a hard position for a lad like you to be placed in, and he is right." "Did Sir Robert say that, sir?" said the lad huskily. "Yes, when we said good-bye." "Yes, I will come to you, sir--when I can." The last words were to himself, and he was silent for some time as they walked back to their quarters. "I wis
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115  
116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Andrew

 

friend

 

fellow

 
Forbes
 
Murray
 

Captain

 
soldiers
 

silent

 

bravest

 

smiling


officer
 

Robert

 

father

 

truest

 

Hotspur

 
reached
 

gripped

 

warmly

 

trouble

 
helpful

position

 
huskily
 

walked

 

quarters

 

eagerly

 

rapidly

 

turned

 
parting
 

captain

 

gladden


mother

 

Majesty

 

sarcastically

 

Because

 

treasonable

 

listening

 

gallant

 

pardon

 

policy

 

unpopular


knowledge

 

brightened

 

soldier

 

treasured

 

excitedly

 

heavily

 
spiteful
 

tongue

 

insulted

 

pepper