Beadle's Dime Novels No. 213: Squatter Dick — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

100 SQUATTER DICK. vised. table spread beneath the magnolias fairly groaned with their weight of edibles and comestibles. Violins, banjos and tambourines were in full blast, around the grounds which were lighted up to almost the brightness of noonday, and dancing was commenced. But we have neither the time nor the space to describe the festivities of that night and the ensuing day, and need only add that every thing passed off pleasantly and peaceably. Then, as the shades of night settled down over thé earth, and the troops were in saddle, "only awaiting their leaders, Ada was reminded of her promise, and slipping a small note into the hand of each of her rival suitors, she glided away before a word could be spoken, In silence the leaders parted, each leading his men in an opposite direction, and the house and plantation were soon left behind them. Then James Sloan tore the seal of his note and by the pale rays of the monn, he deciphered its contents. The hollow groan that broke from his lips told but too plainly what had been Ada’s decision, and for a moment he reeled in his saddle as if about to fall. Yes, Ada Sollars had made her decision, and accepted Ar- thur De Forrest, conditionally. If he came to her when the war was over, and said that his heart was still faithful, then she would become his bride. And this he did; returning safe and with honor unblem- _ished, and they were married. James Sloan was at the wed- ding, as was his brother Bertie, and Ada was greatly relieved at a few words her elder cousin whispered in her ear. Whether these words had any connection with the wedding of James Sloan, or not, we can not say, but a short time after- ward he really did marry, a fine, rosy-cheeked lassie, who was, in his opinion, just a little—a very little—prettier and sweeter than his cousin, Mrs. De Forrest. So you see that there # a cure for “broken hearts and blighted hopes,” after all ! ~ THE END, - COME NOOKS.COM * °