A Silver Brand — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

a A SILVER BRAND. ‘ could tell me. How do you do, Mr. Nathaniel? You have made a long absence this time. My spy-glass showed your curtain down for many days.” “Sit down, my children. Old Nat’s is indeed a proud and honored roof when two such fair ladies grace it with their presence.” , The two girls nestled together with arms inter- laced and hands clasped. Lina’s vehement nature could not remain quiet. She burst forth every few moments with littl exclamations of pleasure and affection. She stroked Serena’s hand and played with the silky tress that curled against the white throat. “T wonder what name Nat can find for you, Serena? Iam his humming-bird. Oh, he must show you the one for your hat. I-say, Mr. Nathaniel, what shall Serena be?” . 3 The taxidermist looked at them with a yearning tenderness in his eyes. | “It must be a bird, I suppose. I can’t think of just the right mate for a humming-bird.. But I be- lieve Serena reminds me of a Swan.” “Yes, oh, yes, a snow-white, stately swan, grace- ful, and dazzling, and magnificent. That is Serena,” approved Lina. “Calm, and serene, and snow-white,” murmured ~ Nat, dreamily. | - Serena just bent her stately head and smiled at them out of her cool, pure eyes.. “A truce to nonsense. I wonder what my pupils would say to the comparison? When I seize upon an offending hand or reprove an idle eye there is little swan-like in my looks or tone. Moreover, I _ don’t intend to die singing.” And she gavea playful fillip to Lina’s fingers, drawing the latter’s eyes to her movements. “Why, where is your bracelet, Serena?” she asked. | - “Tlost it inthe water. The velvet was worn and frayed, I suppose. How plain the mark shows.” And they both examined the slender wrist. whose _ fairness was marred by a singie spot nearly the size _ of a dime and of purple-brown tint. comicbooks.con