Beadle's Dime Novels No. 14 — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

A GHOSTLY MARRIAGE. 89 She took his hand and led him into the pagoda. A vener- able old man stood by the table, on which was a vase of flow- ers and a book—a prayer-book ‘open at the marriage-ritual. Upon the entrance of the young couple, he began the cere- mony, and in a brief time further, Pemnon and Clematis were man and wife. The old man blessed “them, as they knelt before him, and vanished. . “Come, my darling, let us go home.” “Yes, let us hasten, before storms arise ’ cried the bride. The two wandered, hand in hand, down to the shore, until © they came to where their boats were moored. “ One boat will suffice for both,” said Pennon. “Yes! let us take mine. It is the swiftest, and danger threatens. Do you not see the tempest coming, Paul ?” A shadow had come suddenly between them and the sun- shine. ~ For the first time the bridegroom perceived gathering clouds blackening the west, and sending avant-couriers scud- ding along the sky; the silver sparkle of the waves was lost +n an ominous leaden hue, and an oppressive stillness, for a short space, rested upon all things. _ © Yes, dearest, let us hasten ;” and Pennon sprang, py mis* take, into his own boat, lifting his bride with him. “ Ah! this is my boat. Never mind—we will fly before the wind; let me unfurl the sail.” ; The sail was spread, and the first light breezes of the com- ing storm filled it and carried the bark along pleasantly. But soon the wind arose fiercely and the black water dashed over into the boat, wetting the white drapery of the bride. She shivered with the cold. K: “ Be brave, darling. At this rate we shall reach the castle in fifteen minutes, The tempest will not break before that.” On and on they flew, rapidly as the wind which bore them; fifteen minutes—half an hour—an hour passed, and the castle did not come in sight. “Tt is strange !” muttered the-bridegroom, beginning to feel deep alarm, as he looked at his pale and silent companion. “ Yes, it is strange. Shall we never reach home, Paul ?” “ Have courage—we must soon be there.” The fanciful pennant which flew before the mast was rent comiclbooks.com