A Heart's Bitterness — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

A HEART’S BITTERNESS. . 105 sat at their feet holding it, while the wicked wind and rain swirled in upon them, ruining Grace’s plumed hat, and reducing her yellow head to a state of detestable wetness. — Keith had his own blue cloth cloak with him, and wanted to put it on Violet, but she shrank sensitively from it, and utterly refused. | In a short time, from soaking rain and_nervous excite- ment, she was blue and chilled, and her teeth began to chatter, while her lips grew white. ‘‘ Lord Keith,” cried Grace, imperatively, ‘don’t heed — Violet’s words a second more, or she will die on your hands with a congestive chill. For pity’s sake, look at the child! Are you afraid to touch her? Wrap her up, and hold her tight in your arms, till she stops shaking. What are you~ thinking of?” Kenneth turned to Violet in sudden terror. How frail, and cold, and exhausted she looked! Obeying Grace’s . commands, he folded the big plaid round and round Violet’s slender, shrinking, wet figure, and held her closely in his arms, drawing her almost unconscious head to the rest of his breast. She was too terrified and exhausted to remon- strate, for she had a constitutional terror of thunder-storms. Held closely protected, she began to grow warmer, and a faint color stole into her face. _ But the summer gust was over. The sun came out, the luncheon hour was long gone by, and nosigns of the landau party. «Something has happened to them,” said Grace. ‘‘ We must go back. No doubt we shall pick up their bones along the road.” : oe ‘«< But I have no horse,” said Violet. | «We must resort to ancient days, fair Chatelaine,” said Keith. ‘‘ My plaid, folded, shall make a pillow for you, and you must ride behind me on my gallant roan.” ‘¢ V’d—rather ride behind—Anna,” faltered Violet. b ‘“‘My goodness!” screamed Anna. ‘I wouldn’t for the world. Both our necks would be broken!” So the plaid was folded, and Violet rode home with her arms clasped about Keith, in such a terror of falling that she never knew how close was the pressure of her arms. By night the party of the broken landau came igno- miniously home, m gigs hired at a country inn. And where had Leigh been on that eventful day? - 2 * r > Pas hag OF Oa ; a» ay J b Set tl a ey ae 7. comicbooks.-co