Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

of her bereavement, for she had made many friends during her short sojourn in London. Mrs. Ashleigh was like a dear sister to her, and in- sisted upon her remaining with her until she should be entirely recovered and alle to travel. Travel! Emelie Graham shuddered at the word. Would she ever gather courage to again cross the ocean that had so cruelly robbed her of her all? But it must be done. er interests at home, the settlement of her husband's property, demanded her presence; but it was not until ise that she could bring her mina to face the ordeal. During this tine Adrien Earlescourt had been a frequent visitor at Mrs. Ashleigh’s. At first he had called simply to inquire for the stricken wife and mother, without even a thought of meeting her, and yet he felt an intense longing, as time passed, to see her ayain and know her more intimately. For four long months no one save the members of the household saw her; ber grief was so overwhelim- lng, her nervous system so deranged that she denied herself to all visitors. One morning, during the last of Mareb, she was sitting in the library engaged in writing to her law- yer in Chicago. relative to her return and some other necessary business, when a slight movemeut near her caused her to look up from her work. Adrieu Earlescourt was standing just inside the portiere that draped the archway between a recep- tion room and the library. He looked somewhat disconcerted as he met her lance of surprise, although his heart thrilled witb delight at seeing her once more. “T beg your pardon for intruding upon you,” he / paid, advancinyg and bowing courteously. ‘I called to see Mrs. Ashleigh, and while waiting for her some other people came. I did not care to meet them, therefore I stepped in here until they should go. Just allow me to inquire regarding your health, and then I will retire.’ His manner was so respectful, his voice 50 smypa- thetic, and his face 80 expressive of sorrow tor her affliction, that Emelie Graham was deeply touched. She arose and frankly extended her hand to him. Pray do not feel that you are intruding, Mr. Earles- court.” she said, the ghost of a sinile Hitting over her pale face. “I am very glad to meet you again; won't you be seated until Mrs. Ashleigh is at liberty ? IT ain sure she will be sorry to miss you,’'comichooks.com