Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

laugh; “we were schoolgirls together, und she Las been my guest for the last mouth," “Indeed !" remarked Mr. Earlescourt, looking sure prised. “Her home is in Chicago, [linois. Her father was a millionnive, and she was his oly child; besidea this she wnrerried another million.” “Ab! then she ia x married lady,” said the gentle- man, 4 shadow crossing his fine face. “Certainly. Do you suppose a person possessing her beauty could remain al)yvle until she was twenty- five?” inquired hls companion, roguishly. “Possibly not; but what may her pame be?’ ‘Mrs, Graham. She came abroad with her mother, whois somewhat of aninvalid, and was recommended to try & sea-voyage. Mr. Graham could uot leaye his busineas at the time, but she is looking for him to join her wey goon.” “T should hope that he would wait until we have better weather before salliny; {tf has been very bad durmg the last three weeks, and # gr6at muny disas- tera are reported. The City of Boston is already a week over due, and it ia ferred that she has gone down with all on board.” “How shocking!" orled his companion. ‘But here comes my friend; let me introduce you.” The beautiful woman of whom they bad been talk- ing had been slowly approuching their vicinity, and conversing In an animated way with another lady. She looked np with o amile as she was nearly oppo- site, and then would have passed on’ but that Mrs, Ashleigh put out ber Land to detain her, “Emelie, oue moment, please,” she said. adding, “Mra. Graham, allow ine to present you to my frend, the Hon. Mr, Darlescourt, Mr. Isurlescourt, Mrs, Graham.” The lady and gentleman acknowledged the intro- duction, and Mrs. Graham's companion, 6xcusing herself, passed ou, leaving the beautiful American at liberty to see more of Mr, Earlescourt if she chose, If the gentleman hid been pleased with her ata distance he was charmed with her now, She was brilliant, cultured, fascinating, and, after half an hour apent in her society, Adrien Earlescourt knew that for bis own pence of mind he must ayoid meeting her often. She was s women, such as he had pictured to himself 1s his wife, whenever he thought of giving his home a mistress. He was a bachelor of thirty, and, strange 33 it may seem, his heart had peat fee been touched by fire from off love's altar, he had never yet seen the wo- man who suited his fnstitious taste or oping UD Lo his ideal of what his wife should be. oOo