The Opposite House: A Novel — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite House. 273 They sat together on the mossy trunk, unable to find language to utter the feelings of their hearts. Marie leaned her head on the young mill-owner’s breast, listening with throbbing pulses to the un- familiar words of happiness and fidelity. Suddenly she started up. ‘“ Traugott,” she asked, a still deeper flush crimsoning her cheeks, “have you opened my memento ?” A line of pain marked the forehead of the hand- some officer, gliding like an icy breath over his radiant features. “Why do you remind me of my talisman now, Marie?” he said, almost reproachfully. ‘ Must its memory embitter even the happiest moment of my hie? The young girl gazed deep into his eyes; then, with an almost mischievous expression, answered : “It zs cruel, isn’t it? And yet I must grieve you with it. Where is my amulet, Traugott?” He silently unfastened his coat, slipped the ribbon from his neck, and gave her the untouched secret. Marie’s face blanched. “This ribbon’—the words fell from her lips like a cry of fear—‘“ this ribbon is red—the end has drunk your blood !” She threw her arms around his neck with sudden terror, as if to guard her lover from the murderous bullet. Comiclboolk<s C@ 5}