Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

100 , OCTAVIA'S PRIDE. the blood stinging and ‘i peanaii through her veins in utter scorn and contempt. “He calls other help. He will not give me an even chance. Iawoman, and hea man. Shame upon the caitiff!” mut- tered she through her shut teeth. And then, as she heard the hastening steps of the watch- man before, and the plunging stride of the foe behind, she turned, bounded hghtly over a garden wall, skimmed across a rear yard, up and down steps, and was again in the street, and nearer the water. She had in mind the sort of retreat needed, but was cut off from that quarter. Meanwhile the excitement deepened, and the pursuing force gained half a dozen recruits. She could hear them closing in upon her on three sides. They were pressing her nearer and nearer the water. Now, in- deed it was growing a desperate thing. Poor Jenny wished, indeed, for a wren’s wing to help her out of this sore distress. Not that, on her own account, she was afraid to face Aaron Morley and the whole force of Sydney police. But to do that, would be to yield up to the greedy hands of his uncongenial brother the treasured secret of Doctor Morley, and to betray the sacred trust he had left to her. If there was anything left in life precious to her, it was this conviction that it was in her power still to serve Doctor Morley. She pushed on, therefore, one hand clasping within her pocket the little package so boldly obtained, and in a moment more stood at the water’s edge. How still and peaceful it was! The soft slipping of the waves was like a tender whisper; the stars shone down like dreamy, loving, mother-eyes; an infinite sweetness, even in the midst of her alarm and excitement, stole into Jane West’s spirit. It was something as though a cool hand had been laid upon her forehead in solemn benediction. _ The hoarse shouts, the rude cry, the rushing steps came comicbooks co