José — page 249: what you’re looking at

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

9492 JOSE, selves. But another slight effort to-morrow morn- ing and Hattie will not permit you to get up from your chair until the May roses again be blooming on your cheeks.” The housekeeper had left the room and Mary began to disrobe. Gradually she began to experi- ence an utter prostration of mind and body, a cold indifference to whatever might betide her, that was in a manner refreshing. She pondered no longer, she tortured herself no more with anxious con- jectures for the future; lying in her bed, she closed her eyes and sleep stole fast upon her, soothing her afflicted mind into sweet oblivion. The stars were high in the azure canopy, touched by the pale light of the quartered moon, when be- fore the gates of the fort a stately group of horse- men halted. It was fully one-half of the combined defenders of the fort, well armed with rifles and long knives. One step removed from this group three riderless horses were being held in check by a groom. A stream of light suddenly fell through the gate, and in the glare of two flickering torches Mc- > Gregor and Mary, followed by her father, appeared. McAllister and Hattie were standing beneath the archway, from this point viewing the departure of the company. The bride was dressed in a light oray silk that displayed her rich, youthful charms, a sparkling brooch connecting a hanging lace collar at her throat; from beneath the small riding hat protruded the thick, folded braids of her glossy hair, but a marble paleness covered her face that in the light of the glaring torches looked ghastly. Mc- Gregor appeared in the dress of the civilized world, but having assisted his fair companion on the back of the patient pony and folded her in a light wrap, Eomichookssco m