Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

‘4 Pi “ea, ae fe Ma an of > ~ oe 7% -_ AVIS eh ert 5 Nad #s Diy we ws Wid ou Ly Sp ese 8 fis reek ‘¥ \ my ba >. - Ae" vs ! ih * Te es + . Rt : av 3 A mer & Mh 14 ne ts wis athe rf A , J t, ‘ { 5 i : ‘ . 5 » : 4 \ ay - a oe ¥ P 249 | OCTAVIA’S PRIDE So, acting upon the sudden impulse, he had stepped for- ward and offered his arm. Wilhelmine guessed by the look which flashed over the face of Maurice who it was, and, with a deeper blush, surrendered herself to his keeping. And so Mr. John Middleton gave away the bride. The pretty picture was when the pair stood bending down, as flowers bend beneath their wealth of dew, with shining, happy faces, while the good old clergyman, with extended arms, gave them his final benediction. There was no longer any fear or terror in Wilhelmine’s heart; the brown eyes shone clear and steady, luminous with trustful happiness. Maurice also was glad, and con- fident, and proud. What was the world’s laugh or sneer, its grandeur and pomp, to them? ‘lwo hearts, innocent and trustful, brimming over with a pure and truthful love; their royal heritage was already with them; no out- ward circumstance could abate one jot of its glory or beauty; no fear of exposure, no threatening revelation could mar its perfect Joy. Out from the little ring of light which belted the altar, out from the solemn and heartfelt benediction of the good old minister, from the unpolished but sincere congratula- tions of Mrs. Damer and her son, and followed by even John Middleton’s unconscious blessing, the youthful pair passed on, to meet the tender smile of a new moon beaming down lovingly full upon the chapel door. ‘‘Why, Maurice, there is anew moon! How beautiful it is, Whispered Wilhelmine. ) ‘Let us accept it as a good omen. Now, my darling, we may defy Mathew Merle. You need search no longer for a name. Does it frighten you to know that it is Mrs. Maurice Middleton now? Such a young thing for a wife, my pretty Will !” “No, Iam not afraid now,” she answered, ‘‘ not afraid ~comicbooks.com et ‘ ae { ' Pu: ae BS op Ne Tees Ue we » > am. | EPA dh t iy AT is @ ib Dale re ot neato ct a tee 7 A