Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. 945 He drew her to his side. ‘‘No one, dear,” he answered, ‘‘and they shall be yours, and I will prove the truest, fondest husband that ever lived ! : will have no other hope or ambition save you, and— ome.” He might have gone on in that way for an indefinite time, that being the fashion of lovers in general; but right in the midst of his rhapsody, little matter-of-fact Dot inquired sud- denly : ‘Hal, who de you think was at the bottom of the at- tempt to carry me off? Do you know anything about the matter ?” His handsome face clouded. “Yes,” he answered. ‘‘I was about to tell you when I entered the room a short time since, but, somehow, it was forgotten. I have discovered, for the ruffian has made a full confession—by the way, he has been awarded a good long term in ‘durance vile’—he admits that he was hired by Sir John Sydney some time ago to remove you from the way, that you might not be able to appear against him as a wit- ness of his crimes. The man confesses that he has_ been trying to get you into his power for some time, but was not successful until that memorable night. Oh, Dot, how grate- ful I am that I was able to help you!” She slipped her hand into his. ‘*God bless you !” she whispered. And then, moved by a sudden impulse, she related to Hal her strange and romantic dream. ‘‘As true as I live,” she said, in conclusion, ‘‘it was your own face that I saw.” He caught her in his arms and would not let her go. ‘‘Dottie, will you wear my ring now.” For answer, she drew forth a tiny gold chain which she wore about her neck, and showed him the diamond ring suspended from it, where, out of sight, she had always worn it—a talisman, she said. : He slipped it on her finger, with a tender kiss; and so the engagement was ratified. Eomichbooks (E(0) =