The Illegal Marriage — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. 171 the floor. He took the paper that Alfred had left from his pocket. “Is this the one you mean?” “Oh, yes; that is it. How—how did you get it?” “He left it on the table in my room.” Cecy was puzzled. His anxiety to get this paper had frightened her, and now he had left it with Colonel Stannard—what could have been his object? “IT may be mistaken,” she thought, “and I will not act hurriedly. He said that he would return to- morrow; let this rest until then.” “Have you seen Alfred since “Since I gave him this?” she asked, as he hesi- tated, holding up her paper; “No, I have not seen him, but I have a note from him. ° He tells me—you can read it.” She extended the note to him, and he read: 99 «DEAR Miss MorcGan:—I am obliged to go to Macon on business and shall not be able to see you before to-morrow evening. I shall return as early as possible to-morrow. ALFRED GUERRY.” No longer could Stannard doubt. He saw from the tone of this note that Guerry was already think- ing of deserting Cecy, and he thanked Martin for his sagacity. Yet even then he could not give up all hope. She loved him, and if her heart clung to him as he thought, he would not let them be separated in this way. But he could say nothing. Cecy took the note from his hand, but spoke of something which had no connection with the sub- ject they were upon; and at that moment Mrs. Harris called to them at the door: “It is a man with some things,” she said, “some things for you, Miss Morgan.” Cecy looked up quickly into Stannard’s eyes, and knew at once that they were from him. “Yes, Cecy, I sent them. Make yourself com- fortable here. I will leave you now, but send for me atany time. Mrs. Harris, will you not send me word if Miss Morgan wants anything?” He was already in the passage when the promise was given, and tried to push a bank-note into the woman’s hand; but she refused it promptly. Catch- Eomicbooks: (Elo)