Mezzoni the Brigand — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

116 MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. ‘““T already owe you my life. What a burden of in- debtedness have you placed me under.”’’ He took her hand, and pressing it to his lips looked eloquently into her eyes, but said nothing. Surely hearts do not require audible language. On, on the two young people struggled, and it was a hard struggle, as they followed no beaten path, but went over rocks and down steep declivities until they were both nearly exhausted. At last Walter saw that Marion was ready to fall down with fatigue, so he reluctantly determined to pause for rest. He gathered a pile of moss, leaves, and what- ever might serve to furnish a temporary bed, and ar- ranging these in a sheltered nook, he bade her lie down and rest. For himself he selected a spot not far away, and placing his back to a rock, he soon slept, though lightly. Marion Bray, with all the innocence and confi- dence of a child, dropped to sleep almost instantly after her severe exercise. This was very necessary in order to enable her to endure the fatigue which was before her. As to her gallant companion, he too was being refreshed, and thus enabled to meet the severe call upon his physical strength. It was Marion who rose first, and seeking Walter’s resting place she accidentally awoke him by tread- ing upon a dried stick, which broke beneath her feet. It was already daylight; so the two ate a few mouthfuls of their provisions, and drank from a clear cold spring of water hard by, then’ once more resumed their flight, thoroughly refreshed and 1 in ex- cellent spirits. ‘Fortune favors us so far, Marion,’’ said her guide, as they pressed forward. comicbook