Laura Brayton — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

120 LAURA BRAYTON. doom. I leave you here a little while. When] re- turn, your future husband, Jake Bartram, will be with me. This night you wed him! Remember, you cannot escape. The iron grates and the shutter of ‘that single window will defy you in that direc- tion. This oaken door, studded with bolts and crossing bars will be double-locked upon you. I leave you to your reflections. Be merry, girl, be merry, for this will be your bridal eve.” | And with a mocking laugh the fiendish wretch clanged to the door and fastened it. “Oh, Heaven, have mercy on me!” moaned poor Laura, her. courage at last giving way, and tears - raining in showers from her eyes. “Be firm and fear not! Heaven will help you!” sald a low, gentle voice, thrilling like a soft echo into her very heart. . “Who spoke? Surely I heard an angel |? cried Laura, in wild surprise, looking around the gloomy room, scarcely furnished at all, and wondering, for she could see no one. “Be firm and fear not. Askno more. Friends are near who will not see you wronged,” said the same sweet voice, coming, Laura could not dream from whete. “T thank Thee, Heaven! And I will be firm and trust to the Father of the fatherless, and the Friend of the friendless,” said Laura, and she wept no more. Sitting down, she folded her arms above her throbbing heart, and waited. ~-comicbooks.com