Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 231: what you’re looking at

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

224 A SEVERE THREAT. in solitude. Standing, gazing out upon the bright-hued forest, touched with autumn’s glorifying hand, she heard the door open - softly. She had given the key to her maid—a trusty soul; so thinking it the girl, Geraldine turned slowly. ‘« Lady Sydney !” She started and suppressed an exclamation. A sister of charity stood before her, her eyes bent modestly upon the floor, A strange thrill went through Geraldine’s heart. ‘‘Were you sent here, sister ?” she queried, The sister drew a little nearer. ‘‘ Yes,” she responded, gently. ‘‘I was sent here to help you, Geraldine,” extending her arms. ‘‘ Don’t you know me?” ‘‘ ola!’ she faltered, in amazement. ‘‘Can it be?” ‘Ves, dear. You ought to know that I.would come to you as soon as possible. ’ My engagement at the Coronet ended last night, and I came on here at once. Now, dear, just listen !” She forced Geraldine into a seat, and threw herself on an otto- man near. ‘‘I have determined that justice shall be done. Are you with me, Geraldine ?” Her eyes flashed. ‘*'To the death !” she answered ; ‘‘ but, Lola, what can we do, pocr, friendless women? You see that my solitary life has made me weak and discouraged, dear.” | ‘* Not friendless,’’ corrected Lola, ‘‘ for God has promised to be the friend of the poor and oppressed, and—right is might, Geraldine. ” ‘¢ Sometimes,” responded Geraldine, gravely. ‘‘T have come now,” Lola went on, quickly, ‘‘into the lion’s den, because it stands to reason that here, if anywhere, proof exists of the truth of my accusation; such proof as shall force the world to believe what I £xow to be true. Now, Geraldine, listen to my plan. I havecome here in this disguise, so that in case | am delayed here any length of time, you can pretend to be ill, and I—a sister of charity—have called to see you. But I must have an opportunity to search Sir John Sydney’s Eomichooks (E(0) Ss