Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

THRICE WEDDED. — : 91 Ana madam laughed at what she considered a very bright 2 saying. A vivid blush spread itself over Dora's fair face at this sally, which, upon noticing, Madame Alroyd laughed again, and exclaimed: ‘““Ah! that’s it, is it? Surely I had not given myself credit for quite so much shrewdness.” Poor Dora could bear no more, but burst into a flood of tears. Her heart was full, well-nigh to bursting, and she longed to unburden her mind that she might gain sympathy and comfort. She had kept her secret thus far sacred; but its weight was getting too heavy for her to bear alone. Still she dreaded to reveal it, lest she should displease her aunt, who, she knew, was hoping great things for her in the future. “What is 1t, my darling? Have I wounded you so deeply? _ Forgive me; T was only rallying you on your somber looks.” Her darling’ s tears alarmed her; and, going to Dora, she took her in her arms, and fondly kissed away the bright drops as they fell. For a few minutes Dora could not answer, for her sobs. But at length she suddenly sat up, and wiping her eyes, said earnestly, looking her aunt in the face: ‘Auntie, am I very much changed since you took me to live with you?” “Yes, dear, I think you are a good deal changed about many things; still you have many of your girlish ways and looks about you even now. You are Dora yet, but with considerable development, and a good deal of polish added. -. But why do you ask me such a question, my love?” 93 ‘* Because—because She hesitated a moment, deeply confused, then went on. ‘Do you think if a friend had not seen me for six years, he would know me now?” ‘What do you mean, Dora? Did you ever know Mr. EI- lerton when he was a boy?” asked madam, suddenly, a light breaking in upon her mind, and half explaining ~ Dora’s sadness. —_ “Answer me, please, auntie, and then I will tell you what I mean,’ ’ pleaded Dora, earnestly, her cheeks taking a Bull _ deeper hue. ay can’t Bay confidently whether he would recognize you > (e(0) EComicbooks nM.