Beadle's Dime Novels No. 126: Old Jupe — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

NO LUKE. 49 discharged its mail and passengers, and passed on. Then, gradually, the light went out of the eager eyes, the .red spot out of either cheek; for no lithe figure, whose every move- ment she knew so well, came up from the wharf towards Mill- er’s cottage. She sent Glare down to the house to inquire; then to the office for a letter ; but there was no passenger nor message. She would have to wait the arrival of another boat —three days ! Why seek to describe the lingering suspense of the month which followed ?—that pale face, night and day, pressing the prison-bars, the flush of anticipation when the boats arrived, the cold pallor of disappointment when they went. There was only one answer to every thing; when Clare pressed her to eat the dainties she prepared, to take care of herself for his sake, to come away from the window and try to amuse herself with her needle, to look at the flowers some friend sent her, it was always, : “ Wait till Luke comes. When Luke comes I will do every thing.” | Jupe was down on the river every moment: he could spare. It seemed as if he, too, like his young mistress, imagined that Mr. Bryant might be in every sail-boat, row-boat, or scow which appeared on the river. eae: But Luke Bryant did not come! : : It gave the good people of New Bristol a great deal to talk about. They could surmise to their heart’s content, whether he had been shipwrecked, or was a party to his wife’s guilt, and never intended to return. All the old women clicked their knitting-needles, and nodded their heads faster as they wondered what a baby born in jail would be like; and if its father would not try to be back in season to welcome its advent. Many young matrons felt a generous sympathy for one who was once their friend and rival, the admiration of all, now about to bear a woman’s greatest trial, under circum- stances so terrible. Many eyes besides Jupe’s. watched the steamers, and hoped to see the tall form of Luke Bryant the first to appear in the gangway. i ~ But, the days’ wore on and on, and there were no tidings. It was a bleak, gray day, without color or warmth, the first. of December. As still asa statue, and nearly us cold aod connicloooks. com