Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

BEAUTIFUL RIENZI. 205 which held my home, drinking in the peace of earth and ocean. Then the sound of.a step on the shell-strewn beach made me start and prepare to retreat. Some one came round a sudden angle of rocks and faced me, and all at once I stood still and gazed with deep atten- tion. ‘The moon came out with radiance from the golden haze, and shone on a face bronzed with oriental climes and erave with life’s shadows, which seemed to have been manly, though the years were indeed but few; but withal a face God-gifted with lion-like bravery and physical perfection, — and likeness gifted with the beauty of the soul. The pedestrian bowed low, and removed his hat, upon thus suddenly encountering a lady, and gravely stood aside to let me pass, supposing by my abrupt halt that he blocked the way; but instead of passing on, I still eyed him eagerly, with doubt and joy thrilling me into silence. « With a second reverence lower than the first, the stranger took a few steps onward. ‘‘Can you pass me by?’ I cried, impulsively; ‘‘you are Victor Joselyn.” He turned again, and his bright, falcon-like glance swept my face in eager scrutiny. : ‘‘T shall be happy to grect.a friend, if this is one,” he said, very softly. Both my hands reached out to him, and locked themselves upon his arm in joyful welcome. « And you don’t know who the friend is?” I exclaimed, ardently; ‘does your heart tell you nothing—does it feel no warmth?” © «Tt feels wondering gratitude at this sweet welcome from a very lovely lady.” << here is only dne can welcome you more warmly. Tam Ivanilla Rienzi.” - « What! ‘the little sister? her sister?” ««And your friend, Victor Joselyn, and this is my hand to prove it. Ten thousand welcomes to Silverlea!” He took the hand and the whole body in his arms, and I wept with joy upon his breast, whom for the first time I met this summer night. I give’no solution of this subtle chord which drew us heart to heart, and overthrew all the obstacles which etiquette and lack of sympathy set up. This man was the keeper of my —comicbooks (E(0)