The Illegal Marriage — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

162 | THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE, tell me something that morning, but we were inter- rupted. J’ll wager anything that he could give us a clew in five minutes.” “How is he getting on?” “T can hardly tell you—better, I believe; but I can’t say that the doctor gives us much hope. He has brain fever. It may be that my hopes are too bright; but I think that his eye shows signs of con- sciousness. I believe he knows a good deal of what passes around him.” “Who is attending him?” “Doctor Pierce.” | “What, Ham Pierce, of Fort Valley? I know him intimately. Trippe could not be in better hands. What does Pierce say about him?” “T can’t tell you, reallby—he says very little; but I’m sure he thinks Trippe good for another month or two in bed.” . Martin, the eldest brother of the party, gave an expressive grunt, and sank again into his thought- ‘ful mood. “Trippe recognized his wife yesterday,” Stannard continued, “and asked where he was; but Pierce forbids her to talk with him.” “Tam going to Fort Valley on business to-morrow, and will see—what time does Pierce come up?” Crawford asked, quickly changing his remark. “On the morning train,” Stannard replied; “he returns on the next.” “He’s at home by one o’clock, then 2” “By half-past one, at least. Do you know Mrs. Pierce?” “Very well. I know her family, and have charge of the miserable pittance they allow her. Her brothers treated her badly, because they were op- posed to her marriage. She is a true woman, though, and cheerfully sacrificed everything to marry the man she loved. His family think the world of her.” “She is a true woman,” said Stannard, warmly ; “a noble woman too. I like her much.” “JT was going on to say,” continued Crawford, “that I have to visit Fort Valley to-morrow, and comicbooks.com