A Silver Brand — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. | 901 the entrance of three stout men,-who nodded, and stood back waiting further orders. : | Crezence, all the pretty pride paled away from her cheeks, sprang to her husband’s side. ; “What does the man mean, Carl? How can any one, however high in rank and powerful in name, give an inno- | cent man to a prison? What can they accuse you of? It is an idle speech spoken to frighten us.” ‘‘The house must be searched promptly,” spoke the . leader, waving his hand authoritatively. ‘‘I must send back a message concerning the matter to-night. Go, leave no cranny that could hide the person even of a child un- sifted.” E ; , : ' Thethree men went quietly but resolutely to their work. Carl half believed his little Crezence crazed, when she flung open the doors for them, saying, scornfully : “Tf that is all we are soonrid of trouble. Search! Much will you find to warrant this insolent invasion of an inno- cent household.” . And she began to sing a gay song whose ringing chorus floated up through the open door-way, and warned the pale prisoner in the little secret chamber to be on her. guard, and remain silent as though her very life depended upon the stillness there. Carl drew his wife toward him and: whispered : “They will find her retreat, Crezence. I have thought of a desperate plan of escape, if you will be a brave little woman and manage forme. If only they leave us here to-night I will escape with her, and you shall follow me as soon as may be to America.” ‘CHAPTER XX. — “wry SON! MY SON!” | That night which followed the test of the silver brand was a wakeful and troubled one for all the principal per- sonages at Schwarzenberg. And for none more than for Aubrey Dalberg, whose perturbation of spirit would scarcely allow him to rest in one position or locality more — than afew moments at atime. His experience, at this - charming and romantic spot, had been dreamy and unreal ~ . enough before, but now it seemed as if everything tangible and positive floated away, and left him swinging dizzy cComicboo S (ele)