The Yankee Champion — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

THE YANKEE CHAMPION, ey 171. ‘“‘And why not?’’? asked Walter, as he keenly watched his companion’s countenance. ‘‘Because his voice would not be yours. It would not be you. It would not be the one who saved my life in the dark wood, and who was the first to teach me to know that others could love me than my brother.”’ ‘‘Helen’’—and the young man spoke in a low, soft whisper—“‘if I ever make a house of my own | shall want you to come and live with me; but I cannot be a father to you.’’ “Oh, do not say that, sir.”’ “IT speak truly, Helen.”’ “Then you cannot love me as I had hoped.”’ “Listen. There is a warmer, a tenderer love than that. There is a tie more strong.”’ Helen seemed for a moment trembling between — doubt and fear; but her features soon grew calm, and she turned her face inquiringly toward her com- panion. She felt the breath that struck her cheek, and there was a warm kiss imprinted upon her brow. She started® beneath the magic touch, but she was not offended, nor was she frightened, for there was a happy smile broke over ber features. “Does not your own heart tell you my meaning?’’ Walter asked. “Oh, I wish I could see your. face,’’ she mur mured. ‘Perhaps I could read it there.” “If you ‘could see it, you would read there the light of a pure and ardent love. I will be plain with you, Helen. I would make you a seanateccge for life —I would make you my wife.’ Helen Ryan reached forth the hand that was at liberty, and rested it upon the shoulder of her com- panion, and for several moments she remained si- Comicbooks (G0) m