José — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE. 39 make for his purposed journey. He appeared igno- rant of McGregor’s consultation with Mary that morning, treated the projected excursion to the justice of the peace on the morrow as a determined > fact, and entering into business details conducted the conversation at the table chiefly alone. As Mary arose, McGregor conducted her to the door of her room. “T shall not annoy you with another word to- day,” he said, giving her handa gentle pressure. “'To-morrow, before daybreak, your father leaves, and Hattie will be with you in good season so that you can prepare yourself. What,if you listen to the voice of necessity, awaits you I can tell you at once,” he continued, with increased tenderness; “it is all in the power of aman to render you satisfied and happy. What, on the other hand, Providence will shape if you determine to take up your resi- dence apart from us whose only home this fort is, I do not know nor care to think. May God guide your heart, Mary.” . He again pressed the hand that lay cold and inertly in his own, then gazed after the girl turning away from him without even raising her eyes, until the closing door concealed her from his view. With a deep-drawn breath he then re-entered the dining- room. When Mary was again alone, she locked the door and flung herself upon her bed, hiding her face in the pillow. She realized how useless it was to op- pose fate. To-day she might struggle like a captive bird trying to discover some avenue of escape, while torturing herself with feverish resolutions, yet to- morrow she knew she would despite all yield to her lover’s prayers, for there was no longer an alterna- Gomichboo S)