Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

198 THRICE WEDDED. sessed on earth to link me to the joys of the past taken. by a cruel, relentless hand from me, for I felt convinced that I had been robbed by my brother. All hope was crushed out of my heart, for now I had nothing with which to prove my identity. Once again I thrust my hand in my bosom, hop- ing that I had missed my treasure in my search. I only found the paper containing the fifty-dollar bill, and upon which were the words bidding me go-to the post- -office in a fortnight. ‘Then I was convinced that my brother was the robber, and perhaps, feeling a touch of remorse, had left the money ‘in its place. I could not do otherwise than accept my fate, cruel though it was, and at the end of that fortnight I went as directed to the office. I found an envelope directed to ‘Rose Moulton’ awaiting me. It contained another fifty dollars, with instructions to go for the same every fort- night. “I still thought the money came from my brother, and - accepted it as my rightful due. I resolved at once to im- prove my condition and appearance, and, when | had he- come something like the Rose Moulton of former years, to seek my son, in spite of all opposition, tell him my story, and rely on the natural love-instincts of the heart to own and greet me as his mother. ‘‘But while I waited and prepared, he and his uncle disap- peared. After a few years I heard of them in New York. In tke meantime I had lived comfortably, with plenty of means at my command, and really looked like my own self once more. “T immediately went to New York, but when I arrived there I found that they whom I sought had gone abroad. I learned their destination from the lawyer whom I engaged - to receive my remittances and forward them to me, and 1m- mediately followed them. “J only arrived this morning, and heseine the story of the unfortunate lady who was to be forced to wed my son, also of the expedition formed to prevent it, I wrapped my- self in this heavy cloak and followed, little dreaming of tlie happiness and joy that awaited me.’ ‘‘Oh, what is there of evil that you have not done, wretch that you are?” said Alfred Ellerton, sternly, turning to the squire, who had sat in a state of torture, as he listened to ed stories just related, Ecomicbooks.co