Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. 139 there was something on his mind, and she longed with all her heart to help and sympathize with him. ‘“How is business now, dear?” she queried, presently. ‘‘ Have you any portraits to paint ?” ‘« Beastly!” he growled, seeming to enjoy the shameful de- deption which he was practicing upon her. ‘‘ Not an order has come in for weeks, Stella, portrait painting is not to be de- pended upon when a man is a poor, untitled beggar.” ‘‘If you could only get a start in the world,” she sighed, ‘all would be well, Iam sure. Why should not the name of John Gordon be enrolled among the successful artists of the day ? Why not try to gain the patronage of the titled and great—Sir John Sydney, for instance, of Sydney House? He has just returned, I am told, from a long absence in other lands, and is reputed to be a collector of paintings, and a judge of their merits. ” The pseudo John Gordon started, and grew deadly pale. He glanced at her suspiciously. ‘Who told you that?” he demanded, angrily. ‘‘ Have you dared to disobey me, Stella?” She returned the glance deprecatingly, reproachfully. ‘No, no!” she cried, quickly; ‘‘I have not disobeyed you. I do not go out. Indeed, I keep in strict retirement here, as you ordered, But old Zingra hears the village gossip when she is obliged to go to Waltham, once a week, for supplies. She says it is reported in the village that Sir John Sydney is soon to marry, and that there is to be a grand wedding. Why, John, what zs the matter?” For the baronet recoiled as though he had been struck, and his ruddy face grew slowly pallid. He made no reply, but wheeling suddenly about, gazed into the dying fire. ‘‘ Stella,” he observed, at length, his tone changing to one of tenderness, ‘‘you have our—our marriage certificate, have you not, darling ?” She flushed with delight at sound of the affectionate epithet. 7 oe At (eo) =) Gcomichooks