Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

THRICE WEDDED, 47 With an oath he sprang to seize the strange jewel from er; but quickly shutting the several lids, she hid it in her bosom. i Ate Heaven.” he exclaimed, ‘‘you are, you must be ~ Rose!” ‘“You acknowledge me, then, at last!” she cried, with a wave of hope in her voice. ‘Oh, bless you for Ralph’s sake. Do not harden your heart again, for my life has been a desolate waste. My name was a misnomer, for nothing but thorns and bri lers have grown along my life- path. Say, my brother, speak, and tell me that I have not come to plead in vain—that you will give me back my place in your heart and home, and, I promise you, no servant ever was more faithful and devoted than I will prove, if you will but lift me out of the depths of my present woe.” Vain, useless pleading! Hearts of stone do not yield to a& woman’s tears. | With a bitter oath he spurned her from him. ‘“No, you shameless wretch!” he exclaimed. ‘‘Get you gone from my sight, for 1 swear, by all that’s sacred, that you shall never cross my threshcld. My house shall burn to ashes before it shall be polluted by your vile presence!” She bent her head upon her hands in silent anguish for a moment. Her heart was crushed anew within her as its re- | turning affection was thus outraged. All hope died within her bosom. An outcast she had been for many long and weary years, and an outcast she must remain. The squire smiled grimly. It pleased him well to see her writhing in hereagony at his feet, for he deemed the con- quest now would be an easy one. But can a mother forget her young? Never! ‘‘Where is my boy?” at length she demanded, hoarsely. ‘‘How have you brought him up? Is he as evil and cruel as yourself? or have you kept that one trust sacred? ‘Tell me!” ‘Rose Moulton—for I am convinced that you are indeed she whom I once called sister, for no other could have had that brooch—for this once, and only this once, will I con- descend to answer your question, then you must tramp. I never will recognize you. You chose your own path in life, and now you may reap thefruitsof it. After I left you that night, as I thought, to die, 1 resolved never to think of you (ato) Eomicbooks