Laura Brayton — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

LAURA BRAYTON. 141 with the route. At last she paused, and bade Put- nam listen. He did so, and could plainly hear persons tread- ing along pavements, and the distant sound of wheels. | “If I press a spring,” she said, “what appears from the outside to be a solid slab in the wall will turn for an instant and allow you to step into the - street. The moment I remove the pressure of my hand the stone will ‘silently return toits place. It was a contrivance made by an ancestor of mine many years ago for his own safety, he, then, prob- ably never dreaming how useful all his plans and means of concealment might be to his descendants. I told you I would instruct you in the secret. Raise your hand by my arm until you press what appears only to be a brick left carelessly out too far from the line of the rest There, you feel it now. Before you press it let me say on the outside, in the wall, ' — not so far out, but distinguished -by being a size smaller than any around it, and a very little farther out the same spring can be used for ingress that you now use for egress. And now take these letters to. Lawyer Johnson, and say to him to go on boldly — with our case. We will appear when called for. The papers I send are all that he needs to found his full pleaupon. He will tell you what he wishes you todo. Youare of full age, and I consent to your assuming the position named in a note from me. Now go, and Heaven bless you.” Eldridge felt a rush of fresh air in his face, and gently pushed, he stepped forward and was con-_ scious instantly, though in the shadow of a high- - wall, that he was in the street. A few moments and afew steps forward enabled him to get the f | | comichooks.co