The Illegal Marriage — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

watched him sadly, each feeling what none would express, a sense of impending evil. Standing upon his porch, gazing after his only son, the aged minister prayed fervently that Heaven might bless him and direct his steps aright. Leaving his horse in the woods, Alfred gained the hill by a circuitous route, and, creeping along the fences until near the hut, descended to it, noise- lessly and in terror. | Like a guilty thing, pursued by a thousand fears, he crept over the logs, starting at each twig that broke beneath his feet; nor did he breathe freely until the door had closed behind him. The old man struck a light. “It’s all up, Hawks; they are after us.” “How do ye know?” Hawks asked, quickly fixing his eyes upon Alfred’s ashen face. “Answer me— how do ye know? Have you been——” Reaching behind him, Hawks laid his hand upon his rifle, ere he continued: “Have you bin blowing? How——” “T haven’t betrayed you, if that’s what you mean. You know I dare not. Let me tell you.” Sitting upon the edge of his pallet, Hawks listened to the story in silence. “Let us get away, Hawks,” Alfred said at length; “Tam sure we cannot stay here without being found out.” | “And what have you done—suppose we air found out.” “What’s the use of asking that, Hawks, when you have that paper against me? Wouldn’t it im- plicate me in the murder, too.” | “Suppose I’ve burnt it—what then?” “Hawks! how do you suppose I got that money?” “Oh! ho! the old game was it? How’d you do it, now?” Without disguise Alfred told him the story, and old Hawks listened in silence. Alfred had to con- fess that his last hope was gone, and once more begged the old man to go away while they could. “How’s the doctor?” asked Hawks, abruptly changing the conversation. : : . fa ns “ o. e Go THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. 207. GEomiecbooks €o ak fe hdres n¢ “ = >» «