Beadle's Dime Library No. 1 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

—*- ow - = = ee oe - a ..* —— >- a =< — os s=<t = o—- - -_—— —— - = - — we ee ee lel or = ‘2 QS St ee Fs. a «er ’ said, ‘ ticulation. But he felt 16 But Bhe Stranger seemed not to heed him. Thus began the long, sweet days, when her eyes were fixed upon the maiden, the ex- | hand adjusted the curtain so that the mellow ression of whose face was hidden by the chur- darkness, yet to whose emotions he had some index in the poise of her head, outlined be- tween his eye and the window. ‘*T have but just a ga in upon you in pass- ing,” added SOE, ‘*T must take my departure without delay. But the loss of myself.” | The New York Libra: sunshine was most touch arranged the pillows in the easiest posi- tion. When his brow throbbed with fever, her cool palm charmed the pain away. When every ‘nerve twitched with restlessness, her low voice ] ; ' of that unhappy bullet. And so he grew con- pleasing, and her gentle ry. | | wooed ref reshing slumber. Under such gentle | I leave you the care of my | ministrations, a much less vigorous constitution | sister, which will doubtless amply repay you for | than his must have rapidly repaired the damage | —- -_-—- --—_—_- ——____ I ES RE “All about me?’ he smiled. ‘All that lies within the space of a fortnight, while I have been | on my good behavior, learning to Icve ou “T didn’t have to warn to love you!” she said, with a pretty, reproachful pout. He laughed and kissed her. ‘* Will you be satisfied if I tell you that it has been the sweetest lesson of my life?” he asked. ** But how can you know so much of me?” ** My life has led me to be observant of all men. : Vol. I. ‘‘T owe you much for your deeds of valor in valescent; and as he sat bolstered up mimes the It has taught me that the character of a man is my defense, and more for the procurement of so sweet a nurse,” said The Stranger... ‘‘ But illows and had her waiting upon every whim, fe thought that he Wold bs oe to remain, how can I consent to tax Miss Iola with the care | invalid forever, if only to have her always near of a stranger?’ - "My brother’s friends are my friends,” said the girl; ‘‘and you can show your regard for us in no way better than by commanding us and everything we have.” +urme < ieee r felt a delicious thrill whenever e e. all his experience he had never | man h im. Major Gravesend was a daily visitor, ostensi- py to inquire after the health of The Stranger, **for whom Dr. Chillingworth had conceived a fraternal regard.” But when he had gone a sufficien ty for his life; but how often | is his life a true index to his character? I might | answer you by asking, do not you risk more in taking me on trust?” “No, Iola. I think we are about quits in this matter. I have seen enough of you to know that youare incapable of wrong-doing; and as for incompatibility of temper, there is no reason through with his regular inquiries after the sick | to fear that, is there?” e would sit on the bench just outside the heard so musical a voice. He recognized the | door, under the overhanging vines, and talk to cadences of Dauntless Jerry’s voice, only mel- lowed by an infinite sweetness. ‘‘Heart and soul for our friends, as against our enemies,” said Jerry. ‘‘ Everything we is yours; and we shall be to you as a rother and sister.” But The Stranger scarcely heard him. His | something more! | | | | Iola about her brother, w the doorway. Again and again The Stranger’s jealous eye noted the expression with which the major re- garter the girl, when she was not looking at im. .He was evidently studying her and— As for Iola, her manner be- soul was still echoing with the music of that | =% S ning if interest in the courteous major — was all. other voice. Longing to hear it again, he ex- tended his hand, and said: Then The Seb. began to observe her con- ‘*Miss Iola, how can I thank you? May I | duct toward himse have the proud distinction of classing myself among your friends?” thought that he could detect a slight tremulous- | | Appear as if she did not notice what he had Gradually there came into her manner a | coy constraint; and she who looked every other | ness in the member, as she replied: * Will you?” Her voice was low. Something in it thrilled him. His fingers closed firmly over hers, as he said, earnestly: “While God gives me life!” In sudden trepidation she withdrew her hand. **We are making you talk too much, sir,” she “Sa—or Jerry, you had better go, now, and we will have it quiet.” Her brother laughed. ‘You see I make her call me Jerry, after m new christening,’ he said. ‘“ -by!. You may not see me again for a week or two.” e pressed The Stranger’s hand again, kissed his sister affectionately, and turned to go - Mrs. poker appeared with a tallow dip in er When he was gone, Iola improvised a screen with her shawl, and set the candle behind it, so that the light might not shine in the face of the sick man, Then she bathed The Stranger’s face and hands in slightly camphorated water, and beat wp his pillows afresh. Her skillful touch seemed to impart a new lightness to them. ‘*Is there ai ie more I can do to make you comfortable?’ she asked, when she had smoothed out and neatly tucked in the counter- He loved to have her near him; and as an ex- ay asked: “May I trouble you for some water?’ “I ought to have thought of that,” she said, with a smile. She turned to the little chintz-covered stand, 2 a like an hour-glass, at the head of the . On it stood his medicine in cups, and a tin dipper containing water. lola took up the dip- r, and left the room. The Stranger watched er as she went, admiring the easy grace of her walk. Presently she returned with a refreshing draught, just from the well. Slipping her arm under his neck, she raised his head slightly, and held the dipper to his lips. Her touch ed him; and as aSppeds She cooling liquid, his eyes sought hers, with a look that brought the color to her cheeks and made her ip a arm tremble. As for The Stranger, the selfish rogue was a long time sipping a very little, never askin himself whether it made her arm ache to hol his head; and when she settled him back on the — and withdrew her arm, he turned his ead so that abe pale her hand brushed his lips. Then heasked her to read to him, so that he could hear her voice again; and whileshe swayed back and forth in the widow Robinson’s rocker, he watched her through half-closed eyes. He noted the graceful, undulating form outlined beneath her simple dress. Then he studied her face. It was a strange re, of the gentle and the resolute. She had a perfect little rose- vud of a mouth, so sensitive and sweet that he lmged to brush the dew from her lips. They contrasted vividly with the white teeth beneath, ' that appeared and Cleappeares in the act of ar- hat those lips could set in stern resolve. As for her eyes, they were an ever-varying marvel. Changing with every emotion, they now melted with tenderness. and anon flashed with indignation; now dreamy in half<ad reverie, anon they kled with viva- cous interest, But in all their phases one domi- nant expression prevailed—truth, constancy. And so the real merged into the fantasy of a dream, and he thought her an rivaling her harp’s sweetest chords with the gliding cadences of her voice. ‘ i Several times when he had taken her hand, _ she flushed to the temples and hastily withdrew She placed her hand frankly in his; and he | it, giving his pillows a touch, or some slight at- | full Ee Oe e—e—E—eEeEeE eee aaa tention of that sort, with an evident effort to done. man squarely in the eye, avoided his glance as much as possible. One day they had sat thus, until the major took areluctant leave. Mrs. Robinson was busy with her washing at the back of the house, so that they were safe from disturbance for an hour. Then, as loveis full of wiles, The Stranger “sa abi a tone whose nervousness was all simu- *“*Isn’t there a slight draught from that door?” ‘‘Is there? How careless of me not to think of it!” she said, and arose instantly and closed just’; the door. ‘* How long before your brother will be to see me again? t me see, he has only been here once since he brought you.” ‘‘He is very busy, you ape she replied, bending closer over her work, and flushing pain- Ro be sure. But come sit down here and talk to me, won’t you? I’m tired to death.” He spoke with the nervous impatience of a sick man, and turned wearily on the pillow, with closed eyes and a slight frown on his brows. She did just as he e d she would do. Putting aside her work, she ste to the bed- side and began to adjust his pillows more com- Then his deep-laid scheme transpired! No sooner had she bent over him than the rogue slipped an arm about her waist, and suddenly opened his eyes full upon hers, with a look as calm, as steady as if he had never seen a day’s taken es nleteal the girl uttered en completely unawares, the girl u a tremulous little cry and started back, crimson to the tipsof the ears. But it seemed as if her strength suddenly deserted her; and with the hand that rested upon his shoulder not offerin the resistance of a child, she stood trembling an panting: ‘Oh! let me go! let me go!” He laughed, the first happy laugh she had heard from his lips. Not t there was any- thing papreiy! to laugh at; but that was the way the great thrill of that ran through his frame expressed itself. en he breathed her name, dwelling upon its melodious vowels with a lingering tenderness that could have but one significance, +s Tola had Her heart. ered at the sound, Her eyes swam in ahumidlanguor. Asif fascinated, she saw only his eyes and his wooing smile. Un- consciously she yielded to the persuasive clasp of his arms, until she rested, almost fainting, on his breast, and felt the throbbing of his heart, and his warm breath on her cheek, Their love sought no expression in words, But the woman, whose free heart had been little curbed by the conventionalities of artificial so- ciety, let her arms glide about his neck, as was most natural that she should, and clasped him closer and closer until their lips met. Thus lip to lip they drank in the first incense of mutual love, and when they were calmer, still holding her thus, he asked: “Iola, do you know all that you are giving me? Can you trust me?” * Utterly,” she replied, her eyes glistening like humid diamonds, *‘ And yet you know nothing of me—not even my name,” ‘What matters your name! For the rest, I know all about you,” fortably. | e she sat sewing in as that?” | | } | ‘* No,” she oy St with a little hug. ‘* But what lovers would ever admit such rank heresy ** Tola,” said The Stranger, more earnestly, ‘1 shall presently ask you to be my wife; but before I do so, I shall tell you the story of my life, so that you may make your decision in view of all the circumstances.” ' “Tt am already yours,” she said, hiding her face oo his breast. Re is the use of making my decision seem to depen n anything you may tell me of yourself, when nothing you will say will change it a hair’s breadth? You may tell me what you please afterwards, and require ces TO SB Aad of me; but I want to bind myself ," ‘I require nothing of you, Iola. Butitis only right that my future wife should -make her choice—” at. ‘* After she has scanned you from head to foot with the green goggles of suspicion, in search of some flaw, while you exercise the magnanimi of taking her without question! A man is al- ways selfish, even in his generosity. Tl prove to you that I can be as magnanimous as you, ap , seeing you force me to it, promise to ind She hesitated in confusion, fain to hide her blushing face opal: but ing, under the spur of his laughing eyes, drew herself erect, and with the self-assertive of her na flashing in her eyes, went on bravely: ’ a goa to be your wife even before you i ‘Oh, no you don’t!” he replied, laughii gh | asked you half an hour ago, and your reply was: ‘Oh, let me go! let me go!’ He thought he had her there, and was laugh- ing at having omy her for areply. .A mo- ment she gazed into his face, her eyes - eis | with mischief; and then with cheeks like roses and head a little to one side, she asked: ‘“* But, did I try to get away?” At that he laughed so loudly that Mrs. Robin- i Bis ay Hg to come in and share the ‘* Are you young people going to have all the sport to yourselves?’ she alone sitting down just within the door to rest a while, as much re- shed by the sight of their cheerful faces as by the cessation from labor. | No sooner had her finger sounded upon the oe, mre sli ne hana aoe side of her over, and dropping in e rocker, engaged her- self with her work. She now looked up demurel from her occupation of picking out a stitch with the nicest of care, and told a comical which made the innocent old lady laugh un the tears started in her eyes. As for The Stranger, this new phase of his lady love’s nature tickled him mightily. mA ‘What a sly puss you are!” he said, when Mrs. Robinson had re ed, refreshed, to her work, leaving them again alone. “You have adits yourself so much the better story-teller, hat I am almost ashamed to begin.” “You shall not begin now. You have had excitement enough for the present. First a good long nap; and then we will listen to your story in the early of this evening.” rs, ina ice ap dearerel rearran rete et, autho ve way peculiar to her; and he eldi eep, while she ‘watched ding, was soon im, as she had done a hundred times before, with a worshiping tenderness in her eyes; only now proud consciousness of on tak ee hace of the shy longing that had been there ore. CHAPTER XVIL. AN INTERRUPTED STORY. WaiLE The Stranger slept, Iola prepared to make her daily visit to hex” own tien to look after Mad Kate; she had to pass the hotel; and from his window Dr, Chillingworth chanced to see her, Entra he stared at her until she peated from view by the corner of the house. e had but _an imperfect view of her face; but her form, her bearing, eve awakened memories that sent the blood thri bot od veins; and trembling with excitement, turned.to his faithful friend, Major Gravesend. Comicbooks:éo