The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 112: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

108 THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. man’s shoulders, while he was bent over a little to receive the kiss which her upturned face seemed about to offer. His face was full of eager expectancy; hers, covered oy _ the mask, could not be seen. She was marvelously beautiful in figure. “Is it good, Grace?” They had looked at it a few moments in silence. Grace spoke never a word. Her eyes were fixed upon the picture in a gaze of stony horror. Her sweet face was livid and agonized. “Why, Grace, my darling, what is it?” whispered her hus- band, in terrified tones. « Save me!” gasped Grace. ‘“‘Save me from him. ‘Take me away.” ~ She turned to her husband in a piteous appeal, and sank lifeless in his arms. All that night Grace tossed moaning in her bed. Now sleeping, pursued by frightened dreams; now wak- ing and clinging to Honore, who slept peacefully through it all. ' When morning came and Honore asked her how she had _ passed the night, she made no answer, but laid her head upon his shoulder and sobbed as if her heart would break. ‘Poor little Grace,” he said, soothingly, ‘‘ You have- had too much gayety lately. You need rest. Let us go to our old-fashioned home in dear old France, and there you will be away from all this turmoil. ‘‘My dear little bird! Ah! how frightened I was when you fell into my arms so limp and lifeless. I thought I had lost my Grace and I was nearly crazy; but they said it was only the heat that had made you faint. ‘There, now, calm yourself, my darling, and a “And you will take me to your home, Honore?” She interrupted him, eagerly looking up at him with her | tear-stained face, beseechingly as a little child. — *€ You will, won’t you, dear?” She nestled closer to him. ‘¢ And you will see how contented and well and happy I shall be. I shall indeed, Honore, dear.” ss Poor, dear little Grace! We will go at once on the first. steamer.’ He ener smoothed the ery hair with his hand, comicbooks.com