Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

. ws "t (ha eek” oe ot) ae SF. 3 le vhs SEB 1h Sa A cele aD Gah Giaais ete tr a aa , wakes ee ¥ > aS em on x OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. oak 249 | had been made to look old and worn, inside it was fresh, and beyond the first leaf blank pages. ~ Mathew Merle stared at her in an amazement which could hardly have been counterfeited. “Tt was written through to the very last leaf, and some ‘sheets of note-paper fitted in besides. What have you done to it?” demanded he. | She held it out to him, having recovered her composure, with a quiet dignity, whichrebuked his presumption. «« And the papers?” exclaimed the earl, in dismay. Mathew Merle tore open the package, scattering them over the table. ‘I'‘hey were, most of them, simply folded scraps of discolored paper. The fatal proofs which were of such priceless value to his noble companions—which were to yield such a golden har- vest for Mathew Merle to lay at the feet of his newly arrived son, were—zot there! ‘< Villain!” exclaimed the earl. ‘“ You have been playing a bold game, and we have been infamously duped.” ‘“‘ Hush!” cried the countess, turning her ashy face toward him. ‘I hear General Wainwright’s voice. Gy have re- turned from the drive, and he is coming here.” The earl turned his head to listen. She was right. General Wainwright came directly to the door, and knocked, speaking outside as he did so: ““My dear Lady Mary, I have come to crave your mercy. Here is a young woman down stairs in great distress, be-— cause you refuse to see her. She appealed to me, and—and —you know I’m an old soldier. How could I refuse a young woman’s petition? I’ve made bold to bring her to your door. Ii you will only be gracious, and open it.” “There is no alternative now,” said Lady Mary, softly, and rose herself and opened the door. “Thank you—thank you! I told the young woman you , oe Be re % oS , ae A Saiseah ed iy y Meera a ah | | ECOMICDOO Cs) co