Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

BONNY JEAN. 97 Scarcely had Bob’s flying figure disappeared from sight, when a negro came around a bend in the clearing—the same negro who had warned John regarding the intended attack of the vigi- lantes on the Lee Place. With his assistance, John succeeded in finishing his fearful task, and then, harnessing his own horse, by means of an improvised harness, into Bob’s wagon, the two started on their journey to the Lee Place with the sad burden. I pass over the mother’s fearful grief; pen cannot depict it or words do it justice. At length, being convinced that Mrs. Lee would certainly die, if they remained at the lonely, desolate home, John Averill proposed that they dispose of their planta- tion to himself, and go away for a long journey, hoping to ben- efit the poor old lady’s health. If they saw fit to return again, his house should be their home. He named a generous sum for the property, and paid the cash upon the spot. So, ere Lady had been dead (as they believed her) scarcely three weeks, the old couple had taken their departure for Europe, where Mr. Lee had relatives ; and John Averill remained at the Lee Place, determined to carry on the farm, and keep green the little grave, which had been made in a beautiful, shady nook, and which, he believed, held his lost darling. A marble shaft arose skyward, bearing the dainty name of ‘* Adelaide” —simply this, and nothing more; purple pansies clustered about the base of the monument, and the grass grew soft and green around, starred with lilies and daisies, Here the young man came, every evening, just at sunset. He grew quiet and reserved ; life had lost all charm for him, and the neighbors began to say that young Averill was going crazy. But one object possessed his mind night and day—the wild, unappeased hunger for vengeance—vengeance upon the man who had brought all this misery upon his life! He had sworn to gain it; and his eyes were ever open, his heart vigilantly watching for that time. And woe to Gabriel Black if he falls into the hands of this, his bitter, implacable, Eomicboo cS (eo) =)