Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

50 THE DOOMED HUNTER. if I believed you guilty of the crime which stands charged to you, I should not refuse you food and shelter.” “As God is my witness, l am not guilty !” said Ralph. ' “JT know it—I believe it,’ was the earnest response. “ Oome this way, and we will soon provide for your needs.” '-He Jed the way into an adjoining room, which was used as a kitchen, and placed before the needy one an abundance of food. The latter addressed himself to the viands for some time, to the exclusion of all conversation, but finally he gazed up at his brother, and asked : “Tas any thing been learned yet regarding the murder, or the whereabouts of Nancy Andrews ?” Stephen shook his head. “ Nothing has transpired to throw the least light upon the affair. Of course the coming of the Indians was all attributed to you, and many impossible stories have been told and gain- ed ground till the most of people really believe any thing, no matter how absurd.” “ And they all think me guilty ?” “Very nearly. Those who were opposed to your being ‘hung at once, only wished to wait for daylight, and additional proofs—scarcely a man beyond this house but believes you murdered Jehonikam Andrews. Some of the women profess to think you innocent, or rather that you only did it in self- defense, but they do not speak of it very freely. You always were a favorite among the ladies, Ralph !” “But what connection do they suppose I could have had with the savages ?” “The story most generally believed, with many modifica- tions and variations, is that you induced Nancy away from her house, or forcibly abducted her, and placed her in charge of the Indians, who were to take care of her, and to rescue you if there was any danger. They professed to think that you had gone to the Indian country with your bride, whether married or not, and that we never should see you again.” “ Not so far from right as might have been!” langhed - outcast. “May I ask where you have been ?” said Steptich: who was somewhat perplexed by his brother’s manner. “ I trust you are not afraid to confide in me.” Comicbooksreom