A Silver Brand — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND, 127 ‘‘T have given no evidence of a personal dislike to the girl. Itis not our wish to encourage Lina’s intimacy with any one.” , “Human nature demands congenial companionship, and young people will find youthful associates of one sort or another. Better encourage what is good rather than drive to what is injurious,” he returned, gently. An uneasy and defiant. look came over Penelope’s face. “T understood what this meeting meant,” she said. “It ~ was not so much to see this Serena that I came. I knew you would be here.” ; : He glanced toward Lina, who was eagerly watching the oat. | “Lina,” spoke up Penelope, sharply, “you may go down the path to meet your friend.” | “Oh, Auntie Pen, if I might go into the boat and sit with Serena—if you. would let her row me a little ways, only just a little ways from the shore.” The woman was troubled and perplexed—she scarcely understood the full meaning of the request, and answered, hurriedly : “There can be no harm—go.” And Lina, with a little laugh of triumph, bounded away. When she was gone Penelope Foss faced her com- panion with a pale stern, resolutely steeled countenance. “Who are you?” demanded she, fiercely, “and why have you come here to watch us ?” | Nat was a trifle disconcerted by this abrupt onset. “To watch you!” he stammered. “Is not that a harsh accusation? Iam exceedingly fond of Lina, and my in- terest for her is only natural.” She waved an impatient and authoritative hand. : “T ask you who youare? Itisidle to try subterfuge, either on your side or on mine. If-weare enemies we have either to arrange terms of capitulation, or to sound the battle-cry, and try which is strongest and in the safest position. I have not brought my brothers to talk with» you. Ihave not even yet given them a hint of my sus- picions concerning you, because I hope to convince you myself how much better it is for you to retreat at once.” “Thope I am not an enemy, Miss Voss,” returned Nat, by this time recovering his composure. He had left an unconscious emphasis on the name, at which her lips twitched. r ‘Hogs, if you please,” she said, curtly. ‘‘Ag you please. I unconsciously gave the German Comicbooks.com —