José — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE. 15 A strange premonition possessed him as he seized it, and recognized at once Pepita’s awkward chi- rography, which he had often laughed at in happy days gone by. The young man’s face was very grave now as he read the words that were written in Spanish, a slight knowledge of which he had. “Be happy again, Joseph, thou and thy parents, and forgive me for the harm I have done you. am going whence I came. Farewell a thousand times, and forget thy weeping “ PEPITA.” Joseph glanced quickly about the room. Notan article of his wife’s daily attire remained. With conflicting emotions he rushed down stairs, determined to pursue her. Now that Pepita was really gone, all her faults appeared in a milder light to Joseph, and a feeling of supreme pity and love mastered him. When he told his father and mother what had transpired, and announced his determination to follow and bring his wife back, the former placed his hand upon his son’s shoulder and said: “Do as you will, Joseph, but ask yourself if this fugitive from the forest can ever be domesticated between the four walls of a civilized household. She has realized what is best for her, as well as for you, and there is for your aged parents to enjoy a happi- ness of which they had long despaired.” Joseph left his horse unsaddled. Gomicbooks m (E(0)