The Illegal Marriage — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. 43 Bond’s reply, as-she dropped the subject for the present. | That afternoon she ordered her carriage and made it a business to inquire into this young man’s char- acter. The result gave her still more cause for alarm. Guerry was represented as a passionate, toppish young fellow, who drank heavily at times, and who interpolated his ordinary speeches with curses. His companions were none of the best, it was hinted; and the tricky way that he had man- aged his first case at the bar, had injured him with the profession. With a heavy heart she now went back to com- municate her fears to Cecy; but before reaching her, she paused to think over what she had heard. “T have nothing positive,” she thought, “and Cecy will not heed mere rumors. She is headstrong, but the most honorable girl 1 ever saw. What can I tell her?” Before this question was answered, Cecy came in, looking radiant and happy. “ Alfred has been here since——” “« Alfred!” repeated Mrs. Bond, feeling her heart sinking as she did so. | “Yes, Hattie, Alfred! You are surprised to hear me say that, but I suppose I shall always call him so now.” “Then it is——” “Yes, dear, it is;” Cecy said this lightly, but ina moment her lip trembled, and, kneeling at the feet of her friend, she laid her head against the friendly breast. “You must love him, too, Hattie. He is good—I know heis. When you know him better you will like him——” Comicbooks (Ele)