Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

18 THRICE WEDDED. Robert, taking Dora gravely by the hand, led her up to her mother, and said: “How do you do, mother? We've had a nice day, and I've brought my wife back to you safe and sound.” Mrs. Dupont laughed a light mocking laugh, as she said, with comic seriousness: “Happy to see you, little Mrs. Ellerton, and very glad to know you have had such a nice time.” | “Very nice time, indeed, mamma,” replied Dora, with funny dignity; ‘‘only the man who married us acted so _ strangely that I was almost afraid of him. However, he got over it, and it’s all right now.” Really, my dear madam,” replied her mother, still will- ing to humor what she thought was one of their old jokes, “who was the clergyman that married you?” Oh, it wasn’t a minister at all, mamma, but Squire Moulton, and he gave me the certificate, and told me I must never part with it, or I couldn’t prove I was Robbie’s wife.” ““Nonsense, Dora, what do you know about a marriage certificate?” ““Well, but, mamma, he did, and I have it here in my - pocket—haven’t I, Robbie?” “Yes,” answered Robert, now glad of a chance to say a word; ‘‘and you are really and truly my mother now. Aren’t you glad you have a son?” She did not answer; she looked first at one, then at the other with a puzzled expression, hardly knowing what to make of the affair. Both their faces were so earnest, and Ro: they talked in such a matter-of-fact way, that she could not - comprehend it. At last Dora, who had been fumbling in her pocket, took out the certificate and handed it to her mother, saying, triumphantly: ‘“There, mamma, read and see if we ain’t married, really and truly.” . Mrs. Dupont was frightened, and sank down pale and _ faint on the door-step, the paper still folded in her fingers. __. *Now, Robert and Dora, if this is a joke,” she said, “you have carried it far enough; but if you are in earnest, tell me all about it at once.” | __ Robert then related all that had transpired from the time __._ they left home until their return. He told her how the ~ comicbooks: (eo)