Guy Earlscourt's Wife — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

200 ‘A New Way to Pay Old Debts.” rising to a shrill cry—“I have not seea you for six weekr-~ lL had to come here~I should have gone mad ovr died 1. had not come.” “It is a pity you did not!” he brutally answered. “Go mad and die—the sooner the better; but don’t come torment- ing me with the sight of your miserable, white face.” She clasped both hends over her heart and staggered as though he had given her a blow; her lips moved, but no sound came forth. “What do you mean by coming here for justice, as you eall it?’ he went on. “Justice means money, I suppose. Well, here are ten guineas—take them, and pay your bill, and begone:” She rallied again; after an effort or two words came from her ashen lips: “T came for justice, and I must have it—I am your wife —your lawful, wedded wife—why, then, are you trying to marry Paulina Lisle?” He strode a step toward her, then stopped. “Who has told you this?” he cried, with suppressed fury. “Mr. Stedman. I met him to-day—he told me you were engaged to marry Paulina Lisle, and would marry her. Frank, it must not, shall net be! JI can bear a great deal, but not that. I love Paulina; she shall never be ruined as I have been. You shall own me before the world as what I am—your lawful wife,,or I will go to her and tell her all.” There was that in her face, in her eyes, in her -tone, a firmness, a resolution; he had never seen there before. The erushed worm had turned; he knew she meant what she had said. “You will do this!” he exclaimed, hoarsely. “T swear I will! My heart is broken, my life ruinedthat is past hope—you hate me, and wish to cast me off. But she shall be saved—my good name shall be saved. Unless before this year ends you promise to, proclaim me as your wife, I will go to Paulina Lisle and tell her all.” “Then go!” he burst forth, in his fury; “go—weak, drivel- ing, miserable fool! My wife! Why, vou idiot, you have never been that for one hour, for one second. The man who married us was no clergyman, but a worthless, drunken va- grant, who entered into the plot with Stedman and me. My wife! Faugh! JT was mad enough, but never half mad enough to do:that! Now you know the truth at last—no inore my wife than any streetwalker in London. Go to your friend, Mr. Stedman, and he will indorse my words.” There was a °>*r near her—she grasped it to keep from In ae w per; Sh the ¢ a @ in a for y quiet Shi the n way, the |i bitter 6 ¢ ish in nine! Th all in his w time, “T) erin} upon many What fello stead Miss born what and s fortal a nig out tl He Hien ¢ or ~ COMICDOOKS.-CON?