Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

128 A SEVERE THREAT. my husband. Forgive me, father!” and she clasped her hands imploringly. ‘‘ Pardon my undutiful conduct. . I am con- vinced that the day will come when you will acknowledge that I am in the right !” ‘‘Forgive you? Oh, yes!” he returned, with that same ominous quiet. ‘‘Come, Geraldine.” She gazed into his face with wondering surprise. ‘‘ Where ?” she gasped. ‘‘Home,” returned Vernon, coolly. ‘‘Of course you will accompany me? Your marriage amounts to nothing; Scotch marriages are not legal in England, and ~% ‘‘That is a mistake, sir!” cried Howard, no longer able to maintain silence ; ‘‘the ceremony just performed is legal any- where in the world! Geraldine is my wife, and as such I claim her.” Lionel Vernon glanced at the young man with angry con- tempt. . ‘‘T don't know you, sir,” he returned, haughtily ; ‘‘ but I would thank you to attend to your own affairs. Geraldine, the train is about to start; make haste, my daughter, or we shall ~ miss it.” He attempted to take the girl’s trembling hand, but she shrank away to Howard's side and confronted her father with calm disdain. ‘‘Howard Ashleigh is my husband, sir!” she said, proudly. ‘*You cannot separate husband and wife !” Livid with fearful anger, the old man turned and beckoned to a couple of men who were standing in a corner of the wait- ing-room, watching the scene quietly. They were in citizens’ dress, but as they drew near in answer to the summons of Ver- non, they simultaneously displayed the shining badges which betrayed their office. ‘This is the man!” said Vernon; indicating Howard as He spoke. ‘‘ This is the culprit whom you seek. I demand his arrest on the charge of embezzlement. Officers, do your duty !” comicbooks.co Ss