The Land Claim — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

84 THE LAND-CLAIM. direction by Indian trails, affording well-beaten paths through the wildest thickets, and often leading into the most picturesque gilens, dells and ravines. Alicia had formerly wandered about these paths alone, with the greatest delight, and now accepted the proposition to retrace them with pleasure. With her hat swinging by a ribbon from one hand—and with arms about each others’ waists after the immemorial fash- ion of young lovers, Allen and Alicia entered the woods and strolled about its checkered ways until almost sunset, stopping occasionally to rest on a grassy mound or fallen tree. They had been so happy in each other’s loved society that the thought of parting again so soon began to overshadow their joy and make long pauses in their conversation. During one of these sad silences it was, that Allen felt Alicia give a sudden start of alarm and quickly withdraw herself from his arm.” +o “What is it, dear ?” “T see a man in the woods; and was afraid he might observe us.” “ Don’t be afraid, love,” he replied, in a low tone; “ which way from us is he?” “Tn the path reund the head of the ravine. He is walking slowly and looking about him carefully ; do you see him ?” “Yes, I see him. Don’t be alarmed, darling; he can not see us behind these bushes; and it is not any one who knows us, I think.” “ Good Heavens!” whispered Allen, after watching the man’s movements in silence for a few minutes. “I know that man. Alicia. It is the one who ought to be in your father’s place !” He was trembling with excitement—the great drops of sweat standing out on his forehead. “Can you be very brave, dear,” he asked, eagerly, “ and help me take that villain prisoner? Don’t look so frightened. You know I would not risk any injury to you for the world.” “But you?” she whispered, “you are single-handed and unarmed.” “T will take him at a disadvantage,” he replied, keeping his eye on the man. “He is coming this way. If he sees me he will retreat; but if he only sees you, and you do not appear to notice him, he will be less apt to take alarm. Now love, commiclbooks.com