Vashti's Fate — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

A WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING. 228 Miss Dale started up with an impetuous movement. **T will not be tortured piecemeal,” she said, ‘‘as though I was a criminal. I have done no crime, and I will not be treated as if I had. I have a right to take what name I please, and I won’t be made responsible for the misdeeds of others es He glanced significantly from her to Vashti, who was devouring her with lurid eyes. The ex-governess gave a nervous toss of her head as her eye followed his, and she jerked out rather than spoke: ‘‘Percy Dascomb is my husband—there! Make the most of it.” With a passionate cry, Vashti sprang to her feet. ‘‘Have you lied to me all this time? Have you, wretched creature, have you lied to me?” ‘lam his wife,” the woman said, cowering, but with an accent of mingled pride and relief that the tale was told, and he and Vashti forever severed. ‘‘I am his wife.” The passionate girl made a movement as though she would have struck her, and then, with a stamp of her proud foot, she said : ‘‘God may forgive you, but I never can! Leave me while I retain my senses. Let me never put my eyes upon you again, vilest of all vile wretches upon the face of the earth !” Mistress Percy Dascomb needed no second telling. She took herself out of the presence of the outraged and in- dignant girl with all the expedition she was mistress of. Vashti dashed two or three hot tears from her proud eyes, saying, as she took up a vehement march about the room : ‘ ‘“Could any one expect me to be other than I am, with GOmIic 900 + Li? fxs " ern le 4 A Sh ' ri : di y bs ys ~ y . / . 3 ge 4 GN oe AP i ee ee a Me tae | iPik, SB % Ox aT” pH Ses th ke. Mee ne hy edd Pro RFS Za, . a “Ais cS €o