Beadle's Dime Novels No. 14 — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

FOUR SPECThES. 111 cents, low as they were, filled every nook with painful distinct- ness. Look upon those whose successor thou art?” Half paralyzed as she was with terror, Clematis made a mighty effort to burst the fear that was binding her, and con- fronted the speaker. Not one, but four misty white phantoms hovered midway between her and the door of the chamber. “That is indeed the fatal number,” she whispered, as the chill of dread crept around her heart. oo “Ay! and thou shalt make the fifth, Would’st know thy fate in time to prepare thyself for it ?” “ Any fate that does not part me from the one I love !” she cried in sudden anguish, as the thought of the probability of a separation from her husband smote her heart. : “Thy fate, then, is—”’ began the melancholy voice— “To be the most worshiped, the most adored of women !” interrupted the clear, soft voice of Pennon at the door. “Mercy !” shrieked the spirits, flitting in every direction ; and the sound of mocking laughter and merry jibes sent the blood glowing through the bosom that had been so chilled. After a wedding is there ever any thing more to be told? Not if one would end a story with an artistic climax. Very uneffective it is to come fluttering in with the small banners and tag end of the procession, after the grand ceremony is over, the great act of the spectacle performed. Yet we had curiosity enough to keep our eyes for awhile upon the new- married couples. We wished to know whether the earnest resolves to live more for others than herself, to be content with a man not magnificently rich, to find her purest happi- ness in the love which she felt herself capable of entertaining for her husband, lasted any length of time with the beautiful belle, once the verieSt butterfly of fashion. We are happy to announce that “ practice makes perfect” —that the charms of her soul and mind are equal to her per- son and manner—that she grows more truly lovable day by day—that the last thing the proud and contented Noyse thinks of is to regret the time when he pardoned the fair belle for her transient falsity to him. Pennon is more of an artist, poet, and enthusiast than ever, for the presence of Clematis is like an inspiration to him. He eS comicibooks.com