José — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

286 JOSE. he was mentally cogitating on the strange events around him. At last after a long delay a strange girl thrust her face in at the aperture of the door. “Tf you would please come to mistress, all of you, I will show you the way,” she said. “T’d like to know what she wants of this old hag,” erowled Bob, though it cannot be denied he arose with as much celerity as his younger companions to comply with the invitation. It was the apartment hitherto reserved for Mary’s use, to which the men were conducted, but which Hattie, by the removal of the bed and several other changes undertaken on the morning after the de- parture of the bridal party, had converted into the semblance of a sitting room. The young lady met them with a friendly smile, which could not, however, quite efface the traces sorrow and pain had impressed upon her features, and turned to Baumann. “Pepita has briefly indicated to me how closely you three have been associated,” she said, a faint blush mantling her cheeks, as if her words were concealing the true object that. had induced her to call them together; “in addition I am so powerfully urged by my present situation to decide upon a course for the immediate future, and, if nceessary, to place myself in the care of a friend, that I regard to-day’s unexpected meeting as a proof of the Lord’s mercy, and almost feel tempted to speak out with- out hesitancy, especially as there is no time for delay.” “Have no fear of saying what you wish, Miss Mary,” replied Baumann, conducting her to her arm-chair, “and believe me that my active interest is faithfully shared by mv friends. This is Mr. Eomichookssco m