The Illegal Marriage — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. 153 and started for Perry. He arrived there just as Stannard was returning from his walk. Guerry was strangely excited as he took Stan- nard’s offered hand, and quickly asked for Cecy. The usual crowd of tavern loungers began to crowd around them, hoping to catch some words about the Echaconnee murder. Stannard started toward the hall. “Come away, Alf,” he said; in a low tone; “come tomy room. Wecannot talk here.” “Tell me first, Stannard—I want to see her.” “Not to-night—it is impossible. They would not let you in.” “Who would not let me in? Where is she stay- ing?” he asked, petulantly, tapping his boot nerv- ously with his riding-whip. “ At the jail.” “In jail!” he cried; “In jail! Oh, Stannard!” He could say no more, but turning to a pillar, bowed his head against it. Cecy Morgan in jail, when he had the power to release her! At that moment the enormity of his offenses came home to him. s “Come in, Alf; come—we are attracting a crowd ere.” The last words were said in an undertone. but permitting Stannard to take his arm, the miserable man walked into the office. At the stairs he paused; feeling as he did then, he dare not talk with Stan- nard about the murder. “One moment,” he said, “Stannard, at least I may send my card to her, so she can get it early in the morning.” “Perhaps you had better. It may spare her a few unhappy moments.” “Leave me to-night, Stannard, I cannot talk with you. I have been ill, and this has quite upset me. I did not think she would be there.” “It is best, perhaps,” Stannard replied, “her own sense of delicacy would keep her from going toa private house in charge of a constable. She is very comfortable there, she says.” Gomicboo cS (E(e)