Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

BONNY JEAN. at ‘* A house, I verily believe !” he exclaimed, joyfully. | ‘* Hal- loa!” he shouted, wildly. ‘‘halloa! I say !” Instantly the light faded, and perfect silence reigned. It was like an enchanted house in a fairy tale. But Philip Randall— for it was he—was not the man to be vanquished and overcome by small obstacles. Dismounting from his horse, he led him by the bridle onward through the horrible darkness; on, on, he stumbled against something at last. An exclamation of sur- prise broke from his lips, as, putting forth his hand, he discov- ered it was a door-step. Passing his hand along the side of the building, he was enabled at length to find the door, and pro- ceeded to execute a series of knocks which made the echoes ring. ‘«Surly devils!” he muttered, grimly, ‘‘toshut a traveler out in this storm !” For a long time he rapped, eliciting no response, but within the fierce growling of dogs was distinctly audible, and he knew that the house was occupied. But at last, since ‘‘ Patience has its sure reward,” his, too, was rewarded. The door opened slightly, and a man’s gruff voice demanded : ‘¢ Who's there ?”’ | ‘‘Well, you've been a long time answering,” retorted Philip, not in the best of humor. ‘‘Is it the fashion in this country to refuse a man admittance in a duse of a gale like this ?” ‘‘ Don’t know nothin’ ’bout no fashions,” responded the man inside, surlily. ‘‘ Do you want to come in, or don’tye? I’m old Bill Corney, and I’ve kept this here place—the Red Tavern, it’s called—for four-and-twenty years, come and gone.” ‘‘ Ah!” cried Philip, eagerly pushing his way inside as he spoke, ‘‘a country tavern, eh? Then why on earth don’t you invite me in, and give me some supper and a bed, and have my horse attended to? You'll lose nothing by it, old man, [ promise you. ” The old man led the way without another word, and Philip, overjoyed at the prospect of a roof over his head, followed his EComicbooks:co =