Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

72 BONNY JEAN. appointment and chagrin. Something impelled him onward. He determined to know the meaning of that hasty and secret summons. He searched among the bushes; he heat all about; he even whistled, cautiously and softly, as a signal that he had returned; but there was no response—no sign of a living presence, only What was that in the path, directly in front of him? He stooped to examine. It was a foot-print, a tiny foot-print, fresh and plain, evidently recently made in the moist, damp earth at his feet. He clenched his hands together wildly. Was it Lady’s foot-print upon which he was gazing? Glancing about in search of possible ‘clews, his gaze fell upon a small, white object farther on in the forest. He sprang forward, and picked it up. It was a piece of paper, upon which had been hastily scrawled, in a bold, legible hand, these words : | | “JOHN AVERILL : ‘*Philip Randall was once a friend of yours ; do you know where he is now? He has fallen into the hands of his worst enemies—eyven the vigi- lantes. Their leader is a fiend, and upon his head you must visit the death of the poor girl whom you come to seek. Rescue Philip Randall, and all the rest will be clear.’’ There was no name, no date; but it was evident that the writer knew him, and all his private affairs. John drew a long breath as he endeavored earnestly to make out who the mysterious writer could be, But it was all of no avail; he could not imagine. ““The leader of the vigilantes!” repeated John, grimly. “The writer of this evidently believes that I am acquainted with that gentleman. My God! if I only knew who he is, I would ask no more; for, as Heaven hears me, I would have his worthless life! Ihave sworn it; for I have had no doubt of his agency in this terrible affair, and this communication “makes assurance doubly sure.’ He paused and stood for a time buried in deep reflection. (ee) = comichooks