A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

‘ UNCERTAINTY. V5 ** Oh, George! would I had died ere I learned you could be so cruel!’’ The words came involuntarily. Laurence was still un- decided whether she were awake or wandering in her sleep. | He was on the alert, and—great Heaven! asleep or awake, one step further, and she would have plunged to death! Laurence grasped her dress, leaped from the summer- house, and throwing his arm around her, drew her quickly back. ‘The girl uttered a cry and then spoke. Her words revealed the fact that she was awake. She exclaimed: ‘© The rail is missing!” ** Yes, Miss Studevant, the rail was broken to-day; it was not discovered until near evening, and has not been repaired. °’ The girl was singularly calm and self-possessed as she said: | ‘*I thought it was there. 1 would have fallen over if you had not grasped me.’’ ** T fear you would. ’’ **IT was lost in thought, but fully conscious. It was a narrow escape. I will return to the hotel; I hardly knew where | was walking, but I remembered the rail, and thought it was there.’’ ‘* Fortrnately, you are safe. 2 was in the summer-house when you approached.’ Laurence could see her face, and noted a blush momen- tarily redden it as there came in her eyes a perplexed look. It was the young man’s opportunity; if he let it pass, he might never again have the same chance. An extraor- dinary crisis demands extraordinary decision, and he said: EOPMICLOOOKS (Eo) » »% ¥