Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

THRICE WEDDED. 89 and for a moment Weilman Weichel dropped his eyes in confusion. “Tell me,” repeated Robert, huskily, ‘for by all the gods, © the villain whoever he is, shall dearly pay for this!” “JT cannet, Herr Ellerton; and I beg you will calm your- self. This passion is of no earthly use,” the chief coldly replied. ie ‘‘Heavens! what a conspiracy I am the victim of, and not to know who my enemies are! ‘T’o be struck by a hidden foe is worse than all else; let them but come to open war- fare, and equal combat, and I will battle to the death! Chief, I tell you, you are as vile as they, with your com- plicity in the affair.” ‘‘Acoreed, my friend,” returned the ruffian, smiling com- placently, though not in the least ruffled at Robert’s ravings and revilings. ‘‘I do not profess to be at all saintly you know; but I do assure you that | am very fond of money, and so have made up my mind to see this thing through.” ‘‘Money!” repeated Robert, bitterly. ‘Sell your soul for a few paltry dollars, and wreck the happiness of two loving, trusting hearts. } After a few moments spent in troubled thought, while he paced to and fro, Robert suddenly halted and said: ‘‘Weilman Weichel, I will pledge you a hundred thousand dollars if you will set me free—nay, do not refuse until you hear my story!’ He then related the history of his whole life, up to the present time, and ended by showing the chief the note he had received from Dora the day before. The chief appeared to be convinced of the truth of the story, and started violently when Robert spoke the name of Squire Moulton. He hesitated a long time before he re- plied. He evidently coveted the great sum that Robert offered him, but he finally replied in a cold, hard tone: “IT told you before, young man, that my word was pledged, and that no amount of money could tempt me to break it.” The chieftain withdrew, and Robert was left alone. Ina few moments a page appeared. He conducted the unhappy young man to the chamber allotted to his use. Robert threw himself upon the couch, and utterly exhausted with his passionate emotions, fell into a sound slumber, which lasted many hours. Eomicboo ‘Ss Eco