Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 243: what you’re looking at

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

236 A SEVERE THREAT, from Waltham post-office. So, knowing his whereabouts, she at last yielded to Lola’s entreaties, and came to Waltham. Al- most the first person whom she met after her arrival was her husband. He was terribly annoyed at her unexpected appear- © ance ; and, at last, ended by placing his wife and child, with myself, in a cottage buried in a lonely lane, making her swear to keep secret the fact that she was his wife. We lived there for several months, Lola sometimes singing at the rich houses, and thus making a little money, which we needed sadly, for the villain finally ceased to provide at all for his family. ‘One night Lola went to sing at one of the fine houses. I, as usual, accompanied her After a time a violent storm burst forth ; and I, knowing that the girl had come out unprovided with a cloak, hastened back to the cottage to procure them. Arrived there, in the darkness and fast gathering tempest, I was startled by hearing voices within. Something prompted me to go to the window and glance in. Gentlemen, I swear to you that I saw John Gordon—that man yonder—s/ab his wife to the heart, and she fell dead upon the floor. In my horror, fright, agony, I ran from the spot, shrieking and screaming in~ wild despair. On, on I flew, never pausing until I was back at Waltham. There I found, to my dismay, that Lola had gone home. Knowing the horrible sight that would await her there, I started to return, for I would have died to have saved her from that awful spectacle. But, half way through the forest, I was seized by some one, and a cloth thrown over my head, and I was borne away. ‘¢When I opened my eyes again, I was on board a vessel far out at sea. I soon discovered that the captain—a villainous fellow—had been bribed to put me out of the way ; but Heaven interposed ; and at last, after months of hardship and privation, I have managed to get free ; and just in time, thank Heaven, to give my testimony. I swear that John Gordon, or Sir John Sydney—that man yonder—is the murderer ef Stella Gilroy Gordon, his wife !” A deep silence fell like a pall, broken by an unexpected ap- parition. Hurrying through the crowded court-room, pale asa specter, came Geraldine. She moved forward, and, ina low, tense tone, demanded to besworn as a witness. ‘‘A witness, my lady!” gasped the astonished judge. ‘‘I do not understand you. Surely, not against Sir John Sydney ?” Her white, resolute face grew sterner. ‘* Against Sir John Sydney, your honor,” she answered, curtly, GComichooks (e(e)