The Illegal Marriage — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. 209 sa lighted their cigars and strolled down th road. , The sun had already set, and the long evening twilight was beginning. From his covert, Alfred followed them with his eyes until beyond the grounds, and glancing into the sick-room saw no one there. Parting the bushes, he sprang over the garden fence and entered the hall. There was no one in sight. Passing into the room without being ob- served, he stepped toward the bed upon which Doctor Trippe was lying. Fatigued by conversation with his friends, Trippe had fallen asleep, and Alfred crept noiselessly to the bedside. Forasecond or two he stood above the slumbering man, and, gazing upon his placid face, wondered what could be the secret which had the power to make that old man live as he did—to risk even life itself, for the sake of revenge? What and who was the Mary who had caused this feud between men of such widely different spheres? Time was too precious to be wasted in profitless speculation, and bending over the quiet face, Alfred whispered the name in his ear. ‘Trippe slowly Baas his eyes, and Alfred sank down beside the ed. Every moment he dreaded the arrival of some one, but until the lamps were lighted, he hoped to escape unrecognized. “Hawks!” said Trippe, in a low tone. No answer came, and again he spoke. “Hawks! I know youare nearme. This is your last chance; will you listen to me? I have borne long with you; but for the sake of my wife and children I shall do so no longer. Do you hear me?” “Yes; speak,” whispered Alfred, “unless some one comes.” “Keep quiet and I will send them out. It wasa great risk for you to come here, but I am glad you came.” A step was heard near the door, and Mrs. Trippe, with a lamp in her hand, and humming an air, came to the door, Gomicbooks (Ele)