Beadle's Dime Novels No. 14 — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

32 THE EMERALD NECKLACE. “It was evident now that Clematis understood them. She was asked to speak, but made no reply; asked to swallow some water, and when her lips were pressed apart with a spoon, slie made the desired effort with success, “She can swallow, at least,” said the physician; “so there is no danger of her starving; and in course of time perhaps her speech will return, I will consult with a physician in the city as soon as possible.” This was poor comfort, but it was all that they could get. It was now almost morning, and no one thought of sleeping, but sat drearily watching the rising of a lovely day; no one but cousin Julien, who stole away to his couch and dropped into slumber in the midst of a characteristic reverie. “A dumb wife! If the fortune was a little greater, now, a person might even go that; especially one so beautiful. This place, and five thousand in bank, and what I shall have from mother—and they do say that a woman's tongue is a great bore—so, of course, a woman that lias none must be a prize. _ And then, too, folks will believe me so disinterested. Not so confounded bad as I was afraid it would be! And he slept. . Pennon made his way to the parlor, and flinging open a shutter, sat by the window and gazed out at the east, just faintly flushing at the coming sun. lByery flower in the’ garden was hanging out its censor of perfume, every leaf was laden with rain-drops, and one little bird awoke and warbled to another until the air was full of inspiring melody. But e the young gentleman was pale and troubled. He strove, in the stillness of that solitary hour, to read his heart and find why that fair girl had become so dear to him, and why he felt, so much distress at her affliction. It was not sympathy alone with her condition, nor pity for the grief of her parents which so pained him. ; Before he came to the stone-cottage he had wandered Once or twice, or thrice, his heart had been touched deeply, but saving his first boyish love, which all men have before they come of age, he had not been bound to any one. He had known Clematis Percy but a week. In that time he had not altered the impression he received when he firist beheld comlicbooks.com