Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

, BEAUTIFUL RIENZL 29 sternly. I turned away in dismay and prayed that she would not spurn me. “ Don't look so distressed, dear!” she said. ‘‘ You surely don’t expect me to love him when I can’t love him. Your anxiety on his account does your heart credit, but, my pet, it is ridiculous. He must marry Lillia Meredith.” ‘“* But if he will not?” She laughed almost hysterically. “Then he can keep on crying for the moon,” was the reply; and she sat down resolutely to her writing-desk. In a few minutes she had handed me the note she had rapidly penned, and bent over the desk to dash off an ad- dress, while I read it. “Dear Lity Frower:—Make your arrangements and come immedi- ately tome. I wish you tobe prepared to spend the winter with us. The change will be beneficial to your health—besides other reasons touching upon your happiness. ‘The contents of your letter I shall — discuss when we meet. Your sincere friend, ‘© T, Rienzi.” I gave back the letter with a deep sigh. I could not help my apprehensions from becoming visible; besides I sympathized with the poorsoul who had loved my sister so passionately, and I did not feel half so much for the fiancee. Women never do. ‘¢ What if, after all, Miss Meredith fails to rebind him?” I asked. She turned around with the sealed letter in her hand, and met my clouded looks. I cannot describe the sor- row, the remorse, the resolution in my sister’s face. She pressed her hand hard upon her breast, and the very soul whose hidden face I longed to see, seemed trembling on her lips. vee Promise to have no secret plots against me in favor of any one!” she cried. ‘‘ Promise to obey my directions in all that pertains to me!” «<7 will obey you now and always!” I sobbed. “Thanks!” she murmured, softly. Then she restrained herself, and went down stairs to dispatch her letter. On that day, a gentleman who was the principal of a cer- tain musical club which I shall designate as the ‘‘ Cybelle Society,” called upon my sister and me to prefer a petition. The members of the society, which consisted of several of the most talented ladies and gentlemen in the city, were ~eP GComicboo (9) (elo)