Vashti's Fate — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

20 TRAGEDY. ‘‘Papa very ill!” said Nora, incredulously, resisting her sister's efforts to lead her away. ‘“Ves, very ill—somebody shot him; and Dr. Gracie has been with him this long time.” | ‘‘Now, Vashti,” pouted Nora, ‘‘who told you that? I saw papa go in only a little while ago, as wellasIlam.” — ‘‘He was bleeding then,” replied Vashti, ‘‘and it was as much as he could do to get to the house. Come away, Nora—come right away ; mamma is asking for you.” ‘‘T don’t believe it,” said Nora, resentfully; but she looked white and frightened, and, forgetful of Bute or Leon, hurried away without a word to either. | As they entered the hall, which was empty, Vashti point- ed silently, with averted face, at a little pool of blood by the door, and Nora’s terrified eyes followed the ensanguined trace plashed here and there across the hall and up the stairs. Wrenching her hand away from Vashti, she crept cowering and trembling away toward the stairs, her face pitiful to look upon, with sudden horror. Vashti followed her, scarcely less appalled, saying, in a frightened whisper : iS ‘‘Not there, sister—you mustn't go there; come to mamma’s room ;” and, with arms flung round each other, the two children went shuddering down the hall. Mrs. Everleigh reclined, bolstered with pillows, upon a couch near an open window, and Elise was fanning her. The room, gorgeous with hangings of crimson and gold, the crimson-draped window and couch framed in her lovely, pallid face with a startling contrast that made her look something ghostly. A strikingly beautiful boy was hanging over the back of her couch, trying hard to keep — back the tears that would force themselves through his | black-lashed eyes. Et rae co : a rs fw si * v% * > ed oe - ’ * |