Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

186 BEAUTIFUL RIENZI. and Fernley came running ahead, and waving both his arms at me. ‘«« Stop—stop!” were the words which eventually reached me. ‘ Here’s a gentleman—a gentleman who'll drive you ho—home!” The procession bore down upon me; the stout vanguard was left far up the hill, and was fain to seat himself upon a bank, and witness the proceedings. Mr. Fernley flung the shawl round my shoulders, and stuck a very large pin in front. «* All right,” he gasped; ‘‘ here’s a doctor.” ** Hand her up here!” cried the stranger. I was half-lifted, half-dragged, over the high wheel of a slender, two-wheeled spider, and drawn across the driver’s knees; and instantly the lhght vehicle was dashing toward Silverlea, at a rate which made the air swish across my face in a fierce gust. Neyer a word spoke the gentleman; but one arm was passed tightly round my waist, to prevent me from being tilted over the wheels; and all his attention seemed absorbed in guiding his horse clear of the stones, the least one of which might have sent the slender thing which we rode in, spinning over the bank. ‘“‘“Where’s the gate? That white one? Soh! soh, Has- san!”’ The stranger gently seated me on his narrow seat, vaulted out, and opened the gate. Now I had an opportunity of looking at the doctor, whom Fate or Heaven had sent me. It was a grand face that; with eyes as keen as an eagle’s, and hair like combed jet and silver. Was this a village doctor? ‘Are you Doctor Whitney?” I asked, as he led the horse through. “No. Who’s Doctor Whitney?” He came and took my hand in his. Standing beside me, he was as tall even then as I, perched on the high seat; his gray eyes, with the iris clear and black as a bird’s, read my features intently. ‘* Now, listen, little girl,” he said, gravely. ‘I am not such a stranger as you think. I have come thousands of miles to serve this family—your family; your closest inter- ests are interwoven with mine. Now, trust meas you would comicbooks:com