The Illegal Marriage — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. 155 went into her presence with a lighter heart than had throbbed in his breast for many a day. | At length she heard his step at the door. With both hands pressed upon her bosom, to still the beatings of her heart; with parted lips and wide open eyes, she stood as he entered, and came toward her with extended arms; and then she somehow found her head upon his breast, but dimly conscious of the words that he was whispering in her ear. It was a blissful moment to her then, and scarcely dared she move for fear of destroying the illusion. It was true, she thought, that she had no one in the wide world but him to console and sympathize with her. Yes, there was one other on whom she could rely; but his heart was given to another, and she had no claim upon him. “T can offer you one chair, Alfred,” she said, cheerily; “sit here by me while I occupy my pallet.” “Oh, Cecy, Iam so sorry to see you here.” “Tt cannot be helped now, Alfred—they will not keep me long. You know that lam innocent, and the truth must be known sooner or later. Alfred, were you shot on that dreadful night—were you badly hurt?” “T was not hit at all.” “Not atall? Why did youcry outso? Were you frightened for me?” “TI did not cry out, Cecy; I did not think you in danger. I was half a mile away when I heard the un.” She looked into his eyes, and for a moment felt a shade of disappointment, as she thought that he had gone away and left her to struggle alone with a maniac. “Alfred, then they are right—my father was murdered.” He had not thought before to what her questions were leading, but was now on his guard. ; “JT thought that he killed himself; but, Alfred, as sure as we live, he shot some one in the garden. I heard him groan and cry out—then I saw a face at the window before I fainted.” _ She described the face to him so clearly that he Eomicboo gS) (Ee)