Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

BONNY JEAN, gh: 13 once to read from the paper in his hand, while with faces grow- ing slowly pale as death, and eyes dilating with fear and eight ie mother and daughter listened : ‘¢ T, David Conway, being about to leave this world, and go before my Maker, do solemnly express to you, my daughter, Jean Conway, my last wish. It is that you become the wife of my dear and tried friend, Gabriel Black, as soon after my decease as possible. He has been to me the best of friends, and in his hands I leave the disposition of all my wordly affairs, «¢ Signed, DAVID CONWAY, ‘¢ Tangipahoa River. ‘*TOHN BURNS, | ‘“Perer NorRIS, | Witnesses. ‘¢May 16th, 18——.’’ |’? ‘* God in heaven! Mrs. Conway sprang to her feet, pale as a specter. Jean turned and faced the villain bravely. ‘*Gabriel Black !” she cried, sternly, ‘‘do you think to im- pose upon me with such a fabrication? You are an impostor, and a cowardly villain. As such I defy you. Leave this house, sir, and never dare again tocontaminate it with your presence !”" His midnight eyes swept the young girl from head to foot, and he smiled—a cruel, mocking smile. ‘* Not so fast, bonny Jean!” he exclaimed, boldly ; ‘‘notso fast, my fine lady! Here, Mrs. Conway,” he added, holding the fatal paper before the poor woman’s frightened eyes, ‘‘ tell me truly and honestly, is not that signature in David Conway's handwriting ?” The widow's eyes devoured the document, hoping against hope, for some flaw, and as she gazed she trembled like a leaf in the wind. ‘‘God help us !” she moaned, feebly, ‘‘itis! Jean, Jean! there is something here which I cannot understand ; neverthe- less, it is your father’s handwriting, without a doubt, and you know his signature was a peculiar one, not easily imitated. But still I cannot—cannot comprehend this thing.” ‘‘ Well, madam,” returned Black, ‘‘I can soon make it clear =) Eomichbooks.co