Detective Bob Bridger — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

58 DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. “But the matter had assumed a phase which required delicate treatment. | “At length the day dawned, for which I had so patiently waited. | “A circus and menagerie was billed to exhibit in the town, and the streets were filled with people who flocked from the surrounding country to behold the parade of the elephant, and the wonders to transpire in the tented field. ‘Every train arrived laden with excursionists, and I felt some concern lest the crowded state of travel might pre- vent Annette’s coming. ie “The two P. M. train from Garson rolled into Corydo filled with people. 3 | “I carefully scanned the throngs of passengers as they left the train, and my heart leaped in glad anticipation as I perceived, among the last to leave the cars, the maiden I had waited to see. | “My little beauty had been going in for adornment. “She wore a dress of purple silk, a gold necklace, and, perched over all, the same ugly hat, and heavy vail. — “I flattered myself that the purple slik was on my Spec- ial account. } “She paused, too, when she stepped on the platform, and looked about her as if she had expected some one in wait- ing to meet her. } | “ Assuring herself that no one was on hand to bid her welcome, she hastened away toward the widow’s door. — “ Chatting the while with the youth behind the counter, I waited to learn the truth or fallacy of my conjecture as to Annette’s reception. | “TI had not long to wait. - | ’ Barely had I smoked a dozen whiffs of my newly fired peer when the door opened, and Annette came briskly ortn. | “She appeared excited and in tears, and paused upon the — steps to wipe her eyes. “She then hastened up the street, as if on her way back to the depot. ‘“ As she did so a window blind in the widow’s parlor was __ pulled aside, and the widow herself, gayly arrayed, with white roses in her red hair, peered after the little maiden — ) with a self satisfied smirk on her fair features. “When Annette had passed aside from the range of the Sao window the blind dropped to its place. “The little beauty passed directly by the corner where § Se stood, and down the cross street toward the station, x : 7 CN a iy - J ? a” ry ¥ <n J ’ as > i & * ina / a of o © COMICDOOKS.COIr J . os | | 4 | . n a - , . .4 » A~ e ia ¥ . j va 4 hay es * e 5 - ; - «@