Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

4 f a, he rs ae ~ rs , . Ln A 4 ’ ~/ p ‘ > ¥ Sy a Ad po iG re Fg ow, ig (ub } “d _ Ne i i >» ¢ ue ) | he) <- wake by a> Se a". ; ' - e i et 5 4 Gey phe WA ean AF pen: ie ' ’ id «\ ' 4 x : - ' 4! ‘ aa’ ee AAR ‘ : ) 4 ‘ r ; ’ ; i‘, Fi “ & ee as ‘nko we women of thea caine South ever love: and iis \ must have been blind and mad to think for a moment I. -eould consent to his scheme. Why, you poor little wrecch! I had the poisoned drug ready for you myself, ever since I came here, and the hour that saw you his bride would have seen you die by my hand. You tried to save me the trouble and failed. But better as it is—a thousand times better as it 1s than to behold firm wedded to another! ‘In death, at least, he is mine!” _~ Kstella hid her poor, pale face, with convulsive ast “Tt is dreadful—it is horrible! Oh, Carlotta! can nothing - be done? What will become of me if he dies ?” - “Tf he dies, I will denounce you as his murderess! Yes, - Estella Mallory, as surely as we stand here, if he dies, T will denounce you, and you shall suffer for your crime.’ “but I never meant it!” cried the girl, in wild affright. | “Carlotta, you know I never meant it!” ~ “That is nothing,” Carlotta replied, with sombre dignity; | “the deed will be done. In a few hours the result will be known. Those few hours are yours to-do with as you will. In your place, I should not wait to be arrested.” Estélla gazed at her breathlessly. “Carlotta, what do you mean ?” “Little fool!” said Carlotta, with a look of dark scorn, aad —e ' “have you no brains? Look at those windows, not eight feet - off the ground; look at those sheets and quilts, easily torn and knotted together, and ask yourself what I mean! ‘The world — is wide, life is sweet; the meanest reptile that ever crawled will make an effort for its life.” . Still Estella sat and gazed at her in breathless wonder. What manner of creature was this who one instant threat- _ ened to denounce and deliver oe up to justice, and the next showed-her the means of escape ? Carlotta answered that look. “Still far wide!” she said, with a hard laugh. “Still in a trance of amaze! Listen to me, little idiot, and under- . and: if you can. The dose was too large; they have sent: for a stomach pump. MRoysten Darrell, amid ten/chances of death: has one of life. If he lives, he will comprehend ail, eg will all the more doggedly insist on your marrying him. ‘know the man—oppose him, and his purpose grows as ada- Ah aan. If he dies, and you are to be found, I will.denounce ft you. Life or death for him brings equal danger to you; but : ey he lives, and you escape, he returns to me. I have warned 2 you. ‘Now, do as you please.” ae Without giving the girl a chance to reply, Carlotta turned ae en and guitted the room. ‘comicbooks (E(@)