The Land Claim — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

NEWCOME’S DEATH. 103 _it might be Silas happily restored to her, she sprung to admit him very eagerly, and was astonished to see only Allen, look- ing harassed and weary, as if he not been in bed. “ Good-morning,” said Allen, pleasantly. ‘‘Do you receive visitors at this hour of the morning ?” “Well, I always receive you, Mr. Allen; because I know - you never come without some good reason. Do tell me what is the matter. I haven’t seen my husband nor Alicia since noon yesterday. Come in, for I know you have something to tell me.” } “To allay your anxiety, let me first say that Mr. Wyman is undoubtedly well and safe. Miss Newcome, too, is safe, and I hope well, though she was exposed to the storm last evening for more than an hour, and got dreadfully chilled and exhausted.” “Dear, bless my life!” ejaculated Mrs. Wyman. “Do tell me how she come to be out all that time.” Allen then proceeded to relate as briefly as he could the adventures of yesterday, and the need Miss Newcome was in of some fresh clothing. , “Oh, dear! I ought to go right after the child ’fore any- body is abroad—and Silas is gone with the wagon !” “Or gone after it, Mrs. Wyman. But Iam prepared to take you in a carriage as soon as you can get ready.” Mrs. Wyman did not stop to say she would hurry, but she did hurry, and in five minutes more she was seated beside Allen in a close carriage. “There is one thing I did nof take time to tell you, Mrs. Wyman,” said Allen, with some effort; “something which affects Alicia’s circumstances yery much. Her father is dead.” “The Lord be merciful!” cried the terrified woman, turn- ing pale. “How did he die?” “ By the visitation of God. The sheriff's house was struck and burned by lightning. The family escaped uninjured, but it is thought that Mr. Newcome must have been killed by the electric shock, as the lightning entered the room where he was Confined, doing much injury to the house before it took fire. But in the tempest and confusion no one could say exactly how it was. I was there three minutes after it was fired, and tried to enfer the burning building at some point where the comiclooks. com