Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

196 pate THRICE WEDDED, gether with the suffering I have caused you. And believe - me when I say I gladly yield you up to one who is nobler in every respect than I. I will not deny,” he continued, while a look of regret passed over his face, ‘that you have ~ been very dear to me, and that I had intended for cing you to recognize the tie which I compelled you tacitly to submit to to-night, vainly believing that in time | could teach you to return my affection. Once more I implore you to for- give me, and allow me the pleasure of saying that you are free; though the mockery we listened to an hour or so since was in no way binding, still, 1t affords me satisfaction to bid you go free.” Dora’s eyes had flashed indignantly when he came for- ward and began to address her, but long before he was done she was sobbing with sympathy for him; and now, wiping the bright drops from her heavenly eyes, with something of her own impulsiveness she held out her dainty hand toward him, and said, sweetly: «Mr, Moulton—no, let me call you by your right name, and a better one—Mr. Eller ton, you have my full and free pardon.” } ‘Thanks!’ was all he could utter, and stooping, he kissed the little hand outstretched to him. He then turned to Robert, and was about to crave a like pardon from him, bot he stopped him, saying heartily, as ke shook his an ‘‘No, my boy, don’t say one word. I know all you would ask, and it is freely granted. I owe you a debt of gratitude © for saving the life of my father. Yes, he has told me all about it,” he said, in answer to Ralph’s look of inquiry, then added, ‘‘and now let us be friends, as well as cousins, for- get the past, and live as persons whoare so near ly connected should live. Now I must go and greet your new-found friends.” He turned quickly away, and went to speak to his aunt and uncle, to allow Ralph time to recover himself, for he was entirely overcome at this unlooked-for cordiality. Then there was a general hand-shaking, while good wishes and congratulations passed blithely from lip to lip between the reunited friends. Ss) reo) fee ~. & -comicbool