A Silver Brand — page 171: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. ie He laid it lightly on the mark which marred his wrist, and it just covered the discolored oval. ? ‘The silver brand has been in the Schwarzenberg family for nearly two hundred years,” said the husky voice of the Baron Valentin. ‘“ At birth the eldest child of -the eld- est child has always been stamped upon the wrist with this brand. Its counterpart has never been known, and this has been jealously guarded. I, myself, not being of the direct line, nor at the time of birth at all likely to be- come an. heir here, had. no call for it. None of my chil- dren bore it. The last baron of course received the mark at his birth; his eldest child should also bear the same stamp. Itis only recently that I have suspected the ex- istence of a concealed heir. I have béen assured ‘that it was adaughter, and Stephano has gone to marry her. Now, I pray you, give me some clew to explain how I find the same with you.” Aubrey drew a long quivering breath. “It is a profound mystery. It is thoroughly inexplic- able. Let me go home and ask an explanation of my mother !” he faltered. | ‘Your faith in your claim to the name of Dalberg is not so strong but some secret conviction has shaken it,” said the baron. ‘Good heavens! how a little knowledge will open the eyes! JI laughed: at Theresa when she insisted that you had the look of the old Baron Max; but I see it now—I seé it only too plainly.” Eee ny eee Aubrey was dumb beneath the press of conflicting thoughts, and the baron began pacing the room again. Suddenly the monotonous tramp ceased, and the baron laid a hand tightly on his shoulder. “My friend, I see a happy solution for us all. Pardon the abruptness of the proposal. Marry my daughter, and be the master of Schwarzenberg, whether you have right- ful claim or not.” Theresa turned her head quickly, and looked eagerly into his face. She was interested, keenly so, in the an- swer, and could scarcely tell whether it gave her pain or pleasure. He was young and handsome, gifted in mind and noble of heart. It was true her girlish fancy had at first gone out to him; but this afternoon had showed her such a strength and passion of devotion, such an utter self-abnegation, that she read Aubrey’s listlessness and indifference in its true light. Her eye flashed proudly then when she heard him answer, indignantly : “T beg your pardon, my lord; but my heart’s love and Eomicbooks (E( 0}