Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

42 THRICE WEDDED. the dim light of a cloudy day—rendered yet more dismal by a thick branches of the overhanging trees—fell around ~ in He looked like some restless evil spirit haunting that lovely spot, and lying in wait for his unsuspecting prey, rather than the master and the owner of so much beauty. ) He was pacing back and forth in deep and evidently un- pleasant meditation, Judging of his lowering brow and the mutterings constantly i issuing from his thin lips. He doubtless considered himself entirely alone. But he could not see the pair of eyes, bright and black, and evil as his own, that glared fiercely upon him from within a closely growing circle of arbor vite. For an hour his restless pacings and mutterings had con- tinued, and for an hour these fierce eyes had blazed upon him, at first with anger and hatred, then as time went on, | with uneasiness. Evidently whoever was within that ver- dant circle was becoming impatient with the proprietor’s lengthened promenade; for there was a slight rustle as if some one was trying to change his or her position. Unlucky moment! For losing its balance, a figure came crushing against the branches with a force that could not fail to disturb and attract the attention of the master of Moulton Hall. With a start of surprise, and a quick glance of his fiery eyes toward the place, he called out rudely: ‘““Who’s there? and what do you want?” There was no reply, only a further crouching among the - foliage. With hasty steps the squire reached the arbor, parted the branches at the entrance, and gazed within. A woman in soiled and ragged garments slowly turned her _Tace, scornful and defiant, full upon him! arose. - She must have been beautiful once; but her cheeks were hollow and livid, the large and br illiant black eyes sunken in their sockets. The mouth was distorted with the play of evil passion and suffering; while her long raven hair, streaked with silver, hung in tangled masses from beneath her soiled and misshapen hat. ~**What do you want here?” again demanded the squire. | “I do not allow beggars about my premises.” 7?) —____y > For a moment. she crazed thus upon him, then silently Eomicbooks.co