Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. 197 her features, was—cou/d it be possible ?—Geraldine, Lady Syd- ney! For the grave had given up its dead, and the strange scheme for vengeance had begun. A ee CHAPTER XIX. AN ITEM IN THE ‘‘ TIMES.” ‘‘ What zs the matter with Ashleigh? He has been awfully blue ever since he returned from Europe? Seems to have no eyes, no thought for any of his old friends, ladies especially. I do believe, Kittie, that he has left his heart over in ‘merrie England,’ with some titled lady, perhaps. It’s always the case when any of our young men take a trip across the water—they are almost certain to leave their hearts on the other side.” ‘¢ Awfully uncomfortable Z should think,” laughed Kitty Dexter, glancing up from the bit of embroidery in her hand into her brother’s frank, handsome face ; ‘‘and awfully uncom- plimentary to their own countrywomen, it strikes me. But, really, Hal,” and her sweet face grew grave and troubled, ‘‘I, too, have observed the change in Mr. Ashleigh since he came home to America. He was your constant companion ; you and he and Mr. Vernon were always together, and so intimate. It —it pains me to see how sad and altered he is.” Ay, tha/ it did, far more than her words would imply. — For Kittie Dexter, true and sweet, and womanly, had loved How- ward Ashleigh for months—loved him in secret, and concealed . in her own breast the knowledge which she would have died rather than betray. ‘‘T wonder what zs the matter?” she said, at last. ‘‘ Oh, Hal, I would give anything to know!” ‘¢ A woman, of course,” sneered Hal, and he did not see how white Kittie’s face grew at his words. ‘‘I’m going out to him,’ he added, picking up his hat, and stepping through the long = ecomicbooks (eo)