A Daughter of Maryland — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

20 A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. there was a peculiar earnestness in his tone that startled his companion. ‘What senseless rattle are you saying, Mr. Berners? : shall believe you have been suddenly bereft of your reason.’ ‘*Pardon me, Aurian, if my words are incomprehensible to you. I meant not to speak in riddles. I know that you are well versed enough in the affairs to realize that we are on the eve of a great war, coming as surely as yon storm is rising. JI have seen its prophecy in the red dawn of day, and read again the crimson lines in the sunset’s changing silver. Antietam’s crystal current will flow im reddened hues, and her fair valleys become the battlegrounds of contending armies. It is there, a true son of the South, that I shall win my honors—a name even you will be proud to own. When America has won her second independence ~ and——”’’ | ‘There is Maze!’’ exclaimed Aurian, her joy at seeing her horse almost equaled by that of the relief she felt upon being able to change the topic of conversation. ‘‘ Here, Maze, my runaway, did you think you had lost your mistress ?’’ The faithful horse trotted to her side, placing its head upon her shoulder with a low whinny of delight. Another peal of thunder at that moment warned them of the continued advance of the storm. ‘fT believe I felt a drop of rain on my hand. We must hasten if we would reach shelter before the storm comes on.’’ ‘‘Let me assist you into the saddle, Miss Lancier; and then you can ride on to Uncle Frost’s, while I will follow on foot. You forgive me, Aurian, if I haye said anything that would have been better unsaid?’’ he asked, as she gained the seat. ‘‘The words would come; but I do not think I should have said them to-day if I had not heard that he had come back. ’”’ **He?’’ she asked, as she gathered up the reins ‘‘Who do you mean by that indefinite term ?’’ _ —-comicboo SS) com. 4 oo. ee t i Sey tT) eee ee Oe ee