Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

Tit PRN S oF OCTAVIA’'S PRIDE. 99 right one? Under the consciousness of a spy at hand, she dared not use the taper. She did what seemed the only thing possible under the circumstances; she gathered all the contents of the drawer at one swoop, and thrust them into her pocket, and then she turned. One swift prayer for help and protection flashed instantaneously through her mind as she sped along, for.she knew what was coming. ‘Hold, Miss Jane West!” shouted ascornful, triumphant voice. ‘Not so fast, if you please, my dear.” There was the scratch of a match on the wall, and a flash of hight which kindled intoa broad glow, and the room was illuminated. There stood Mr. Aaron Morley, with a dressing-gown thrown hastily about him, with glittering eyes and flushed face, glaring upon her in evil triumph; and there was Jane West, pale as a ghost, but steady and resolute, in the atti- tude of an animal at bay. She did not pause for further questioning, but bounded to the door, sped through, and clanged it after her. With an oath, Aaron Morley was after her. Jane ran along the corridor into the little entry, and seized upon the door, blessing the foresight which had un- bolted and set it ajar. Out in the cool night air she seemed to gain ‘sheared strength. She ran along the deserted street like a young fawn, somehow fearless and exultant. She had it safe, the secret which Doctor Morley had left to her care. She had escaped from her odious jailer. What need disturb her be- yond? . ‘ Hseape? Ah, there was the heavy, plunging footstep be- hind, and when he finds that it is not swift enough to over- take her, he sets up a hoarse cry: ‘Help! help! Stop thief! Ho! watchman! A thief! a thief?!” Jane West turned one moment to look at the bawler, all ‘comic olofe) co “S D> Med ae ed eV ay a, sete 4p ‘a ae its Ses te ised, a: UR AGS A Tost ea agit tae Se Lah A tet pr * a ORY rs Hy aR Of RM Niet oN od PUMA EOC. LMR iia tik OE ada Ss SEE OIE Sale he ane rend Wem en ars teges| hpi Enh BM Sine i Relea tit rch BRI wn ca Hi xed Ur ths Cae REG eee aie TRE eal cy a ' o oR F (asia Mr 4st Avy i so ays ie Bie PyTesae aT is a" 1 +4 nlp Ww 4 n uw} fy y Weg ? mee mi; We f\ - eb a Tay *% se x . ‘ ee ’ . ‘ag te » 4 ‘ I ie ‘ x finde’ « 4 Nd eras id t #3», ; Th a : ; ” i “et be : , as 4 . i 7 ; ; art 2 ; * : ~ Lo tc le . ; P* “ , > ‘ My . is ; ti ye )