Part 17 (2/2)

”All right, old fellow,” replied Coleman. ”Thanks to Fairlegh in the first instance, and a stiff gla.s.s of brandy-and-water in the second, 'Richard's himself again!'”

”Well, you've had a near shave for it this time, however,” said Lawless; ”there is more truth than I was aware of in the old proverb, 'If you are born to be hanged, you will never be drowned'; though, if it had not been for Frank Fairlegh, you would not have lived to fulfil your destiny.”

In another ten minutes we were all packed in and about the post-chaise; Coleman, Oaklands, and myself occupying the interior, while Lawless and Mullins rode outside. The promise of an extra half-crown induced the driver to use his best speed. At a quarter before five we were within a stone's-throw of home; and if that day at dinner Mrs. Mildman observed the pale looks and jaded appearance of some of the party, I have every reason to believe she has remained up to the present hour in total ignorance as to their cause. -106--

CHAPTER XII -- DEATH AND CHANGE

”The voice which I did more esteem Than music on her sweetest key;

Those eyes which unto me did seem More comfortable than the day;

Those now by me, as they have been, Shall never more be heard or seen;

But what I once enjoyed in them, Shall seem hereafter as a dream.

”All earthly comforts vanish thus; So little hold of them have we;

That we from them, or they from us, May in a moment ravished be.

Yet we are neither just nor wise If present mercies we despise,

Or mind not how these may be made A thankful use of what we had.”

--Wither.

”Up springs at every step to claim a tear Some youthful friends.h.i.+p form'd and cherish'd here.”

--Rogers.

”Time flies away fast!

The while we never remember-- How soon our life here Grows old with the year That dies with the next December.”

--Herrick.

AS I was undressing that night Coleman came into my room, and grasping my hand with his own shook it warmly, saying: ”I could not go to sleep, Frank, without coming to thank you for the n.o.ble way in which you risked your own life to save mine to-day. I laughed it off before Lawless and the rest of the fellows, for when I feel deeply, I hate to show it; but indeed,” (and the tears stood in his eyes while he spoke), ”indeed I am not ungrateful.”

”My dear Freddy,” returned I, ”do not suppose I thought you so for a moment; there, say no more about it; you would have done the same thing for me that I did for you, had our positions been reversed.”

”I am not so sure of that,” was his reply; ”I should have wished to do so; but it is not every one who can act with such prompt.i.tude and decision in moments of danger.”

-107--”There is one request I should like to make,” said I.

”What is it?” replied he quickly.

”Do not forget to thank Him, whose instrument I was, for having so mercifully preserved your life.”

A silent pressure of the hand was the only answer, and we parted for the night.

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