Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

124 A SEVERE THREAT. decline to pay the part of ‘scapegoat’ for the Vernon race. Let Sir John Sydney do his worst ; I will never, never be his wife !” Lionel Vernon advanced toward his daughter, his face livid with rage. For a moment he seemed tempted to strike her down at his feet. He lifted one hand; then it fell at his side ; and he turned toward the door ; then he paused. ‘‘Go to your own room !” he hissed, wrathfully, ‘‘and do not let me see your face until morning. When to-morrow dawns you leave here with me. I will take you to London, and you shall be Lady Sydney within four-and-twenty hours.” He strode from the apartment, too angry to glance back, and left his daughter pale and trembling—alone. Quick as a flash she darted to the corner, where Howard Ashleigh was concealed, frenzied at thought of the insults heaped upon the girl by her brutal] father. “Come,” she panted, ‘‘we have no time to lose. Did you hear, Howard? Iam to be Lady Sydney in four-and-twenty hours! I will die first !” He caught her in his arms, ‘*You will be my wife,” he whispered, softly. ‘‘Go darling, and make whatever preparation may be necessary ; then return to this room, where I will await you. I trust we will be on our ay to Scotland before morning dawns, I have thought of a plan.” She never stopped to question ; she left the room, and with cautious footsteps, crept up stairs to her own chamber, return- ing shortly with a small valise in her hand. ‘‘T am ready,” she whispered. ‘‘ Everything is in darkness, Evidently, old Judith thinks that you are gone; or else she is willing for you to find shelter in this great dungeon of a house, knowing that morning would reveal the truth to my father. But Howard, tell me, how can we escape? Every window in the house is nailed fast outside ; the doors are all locked, and the keys in Judith’s poseeins she sleeps with them under her wank comicbooks.co