Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

BONNY JEAN. 53 but she checked all outward semblance of fear, and as he con- cluded, she turned a brave, resolute little face upon her com- panion. ‘We will be ready for them !” she answered, quietly. ‘‘ You will do what you can to assist us, Mr, Averill 2” Her tone was one of certainty; evidently she had no doubt upon that score. ‘“Why, yes,” returned John, carelessly. ‘I’d just as soon help you as anybody.” Lady’s face flushed hotly, and she turned away. John’s im- plied indifference had hurt her, as he intended it should, and the young man bit his lips to repress a smile of amused satis- faction. ‘*We had better go to the house and let papa know at once,” went on Lady. after a short pause. ‘‘Bring your horse, Mr. Averill, if you please, and let Sam attend to him.” He led the horse along, and followed Lady’s footsteps until the great, roomy old house was reached. Sam, a diminutive negro, lounging on the grass-plot before the gallery, sprang up, and having executed his. best bow, led John’s horse away to the stable, while the young man accom- panied Lady into the house. It was a large country-house, with an ample hall running through the center, and on each side large rooms, with doors and windows admitting plenty of sunlight and pure, fresh air, and the scent of innumerable flowers. Mr. and Mrs, Lee were sitting in the parlor, a large, pleasant apartment, the floor cov- ered with light matting, and the furniture much finer than that which one was apt to meet in that remote region, including a piano, guitar, and violin, upon all which instruments Lady was proficient. The old people greeted John with marked cordiality, while Lady ran off up stairs to change her dress, as she had but just returned from a ramble in the pine woods, and while she was absent from the room, John explained to old Mr. Lee the Eomichooks (E(0) =