Beadle's Dime Novels No. 14 — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

90. THE EMERALD NECKLACE. in tatters, the sail was close-reefed, and the little vessel labored in the sullen waters; lightning flashed overhead; the sun set and night came on, with darkness which only the bolts of heaven could rend asunder. “Oh, where is our home?” cried Clematis. “T know not,—but at least we can die together !” . He reached forth in the darkness.and gathered her shiver- ing form to his bosom—that moment the vessel struck a rock and was dashed in pieces; the chilly waters rushed over them— they sank—sank. “It’s a dreadful mercy, doctor, that he.wasn’t drowned.” “He was about as near dead as men ever get to be who are fated to try life a little longer.” “Pye heard him say he was an excellent sailor, and I don't see how he came to let his boat run agin a snag in broad day- light. Ifthem fishermen hadn’t been close to hand, he'd never - have been rescued.” “Keep him warm, and give him plenty of stimulating drink. Till call in to-morrow again; he’s doing “well enough now. How do you feel, Mr. Pennon ?” “Very comfortable, thank you; though I can hardly be certain how I do feel,” answered the patient, opening his eyes and looking about him. “Say, doctor, was she saved ?” “Who ?” asked the physician, in surprise. “My wife,—the lady who was in the boat with me.” The doctor and housekeeper exchanged glances, as much as ‘to say that he was not in his right mind. “Perhaps he was wounded upon the head by the boat or snag;” and he began to examine the head of the patient beneath the hair. “ No—let me alone, my head is all right. Perhaps I have been dreaming. How came I in this condition and what has happened to me ?” “You were out, alone in your boat, sailing on the river, when you ran into a snag, upset your boat, and you sank, being either unable to swim, or having received a blow which stunned you. Some fishermen near at hand, dragged you out and brought you home, when your housekeeper summoned me. We had hard work to bring you back to life, Mr. Pennon.’ “What day of the week is it, and what hour of the day ?” comlclbooks.com