A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

%8 A LADY BACHELOR. ‘* His conduct was strange; yours is equally so! What are you saying to me, Mr. Adams?’’ ‘‘In an awkward way, | am seeking to defend my friend’s conduct. ”’ ; +¢ Well?” ‘* He had been devoted in his attentions to you; his at- tentions were too marked not to carry a suggestion. He left suddenly, without one word of explanation; under the circumstances an explanation was required. I am assum- ing nothing; I am speaking alone in exculpation of my friend’s conduct, and the explanation is this: Something . has arisen which, for the present, makes it impossible for him to explain his conduct. He loves you, but a spectre has leaped between you. It is his secret; not even to me did he reveal it. lam mystified, bewildered. I can not conceive what it is, I can only say I know he loves you, and I trust some day his reason will be revealed to you; to me, at present, it stands asa barrier to an expression of his real feeling. This 1 know tobe true. Miss Studevant, having overheard your words, spoken when unconscious of the presence of another, I have presumed to speak and tell you the truth. Shall 1 accompany you to the hotel?’’ ‘* Mr. Adams, you are very kind,”’ said Eloise, and she accepted his arm. They walked back to tne hotel. She did not ask one question; he did not volunteer one addi- tional word. At the great door they parted, and Laurence, lighting a cigar, wandered off under the trees to reflect on the strange events in which he was an actor. COLMICLOOOKS OLN,