The Illegal Marriage — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE, 183 “Not a bit of it, doctor,” he answered, briskly. “Don’t try to prejudice the court against me.” Again Pierce laid his hand upon the sick man’s wrist, smiling toward Crawford, as they recognized Trippe’s power of continuing the simile. “What does the pulse say, doctor?” “Tt says that you are much better than I expected to find you; but it tells me also that you have talked enough for to-day. Be patient, Trippe, you’ll soon be out.” The invalid obeyed, but listened eagerly to the conversation around him, hoping to hear something about Morgan’s death; but this was a topic. which they studiously avoided. “He is improving rapidly,” said the doctor, as the three men met on the porch. “If there is no change for the worse we may question him to-morrow.” “Tt is of no use to-day,” repeated Crawford; “Martin is not here. Where is he, Stannard ?” “He promised to come with Appling, this morn- ing. He’ll be here to-morrow, certainly.” “T must catch the train—good-by,” said Pierce, offering his hand; “you will see me in the morning.” Lighting their cigars, Stannard and Crawford walked down to the bridge, and leaning upon the rail above the scene of the doctor’s accident, dis- cussed the case in all its bearings. Stannard spoke of the man he had seen on that morning, and they started across the bridge to examine the spot. “Tam sure of it, Stannard, and everything points that way. If old—what’s his name? was——” “Hawks—Abner Hawks.” “Tf Hawks was there, depend upon it he is con- cerned in this murder. He has not been seen since, you tell me?” . “No; sometimes he was not seen in the settlement for months; but of late he had often been here.” “Where does he live?” They were near the end of the dry-bridge when this question was asked, and before Stannard could answer it, their steps were arrested. “Hist!” said some one in the bushes near them, and looking to the right, they were surprised to see Gomilchboo “S (E(0)