A Heart's Bitterness — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

“— . A HEART’S BITTERNESS. 953 ‘¢T think he is not taking good care of himself, and there are some things from which, no doubt, your influence will wean him, Lady Leigh,” said the lawyer, who could not but know many of the mysteries of Leigh’s life. ‘* You know he was threatened with dangerous illness lately, and I re- newed my arguments with him to make his will and ap- point guardians for his heir in case anything happened. It was only justice to you and the child. He has been very averse to mentioning a will, but has finally agreed. I shall not leave here now until it is drawn up.” ‘* He will surely be back by dinner-time,” said Violet, and left Mr. Storms to enjoy himself in the gardens and library until Lord Leigh’s return. But the countess and the lawyer ate dinner together at sunset, and no master of the house had come, and both were seriously uneasy. After dinner, they went to the library. Violet kept her child up as long as she dared, for its innocent presence com- forted her unrest. About nine, the bell clanged loudly. ‘‘He has come!” cried Violet, starting up. But a high, fierce voice was heard in the hall. ‘*Where is Lord Leigh?” ‘‘He has been from home all day—we do not know where,” replied the footman. ‘‘Tt is alie! He is here! He sits gloating over his evil — eed work! Peer or beggar, I’ll have his life for 1t Mr. Storms sprang up and rushed into the hall. There, with disordered garments, face and hair dripping with per- spiration from his hurried movements, stood Bart Kemp. «You here, Kemp? What now?” cried Mr. Storms. «‘T want my wife, my promised bride, and I’ll have her! Right is on my side now, and I'll claim it, even if you are here to screen the peer’s iniquities.” «Oh, what is it?—what do you. mean?—who are your— for whom are you looking?” cried Violet, pressing forward. In all his excitement, Bart Kemp recognized the power — of her gentle, winsome beauty. ‘‘ Who are you, lady?” he demanded, hoarsely. ‘©T am the Countess of Leigh,” said Violet, gently. ‘7 wouldn’t ever have done what I did, if I had seen you first,” said Kemp, looking at her with honest admira- » ee oe ee te wre eA oo ae ce ee Be as, teat © . “Pg if ce al ie Fa Beet Cte: Caer Pe id De ANY dy Mis S47 At... mi AS) A ent - 4 ‘oe ee « ° TAF As \ x “~< eh #y i 2 Mat Ae ph ye aed iy Lee : ~ a? fF ; masiPy S 5, ' ER a date ee. ’ a 4 } Jy A ed ' {oe 46 tng : ¢ . a Ne sa 2 ¢ . Amt We MN De ; cp Re gy F J < rea ‘s| veka a , ‘ Wi / aa 4 , (eo) MIG ,0'O S (ee)