The Dugdale Millions — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XIII. THE RED SHAWL. CRUSHED and hopeless, Dick went his way, caring little where he wandered. Yet he had won his love. He had achieved his heart’s dearest desire, and was not aware of it. Hewas quite certain the sun was blotted from his heaven, that all purpose was gone from his life. He knew now what influence his love for Bessie had exerted upon his life, shaping its course and giving direction and energy to his efforts. And as he stalked away with crushed heart and lowered head, fatuous and despairing, he left behind him, con- cealed by the rocks, a maiden weeping bitterly because the conqueror to whom she had surrendered the em- pire of her soul had failed to take possession of it by right of conquest. In time Dick reached the Stanton residence and sat himself down in one of the broad-armed chairs on the veranda and gave himself up unreservedly to gloom and despair. From his reverie, after a long time, he was aroused by the sound of steps upon the gravel walk. Looking up his eyes fell upon a woman, not yet of middle age, evidently strange to her surroundings, making her way toward the entrance at which he was sitting. Al- though apparently of humble life, her appearance sug- gested thrift and prosperity, and her face was attractive because of its frankness no less than its comeliness. Notwithstanding his gloomy frame of mind, it was with difficulty that Dick repressed a broad smile when %2z Comiclboolkkxs C@© 3