Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 205: what you’re looking at

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198 A SEVERE THREAT. window upon the vine-wreathed porch. In a moment more he was at Howard’s side, one arm slipped through his. ‘Old fellow,” cried Dexter, cheerily, ‘‘whats up? You are looking out of sorts. Can’t you confide in your old friend? Except Vernon, I have been your most intimate companion. Tell me what troubles you, Howard. Perhaps, old boy, I might be able to help you.” Howard glanced up. His face had grown very pale and hag- gard, and bore unmistakable evidence of suffering, and his eyes were full of wordless, pathetic sorrow. He tried to force a smile, then turning suddenly, he wrung his friend’s hand. Even futile sympathy is sweet to the wounded spirit. ‘‘'Thank you, Hal,” he returned, gratefully. ‘You are very kind; but, old friend, you can do meno good. Noone on earth can help me. Hal, I have had a fearful sorrow since I saw you last; and—and—I wonder,” he added, thoughtfully, ‘‘if it would ease me any to tell you all.” “Try,” returned Hal Dexter. ‘‘I believe that troubles are sometimes lightened by the telling. You know me well, and that no idle curiosity prompts me when I say, tell me all.” Howard took a few more turns up and down; he seemed studying the question in his mind. Suddenly he paused and _ pointed to a seat under the shadow of a tree not far away. ‘‘Let us sit there,” he proposed, ‘‘and—I—believe I will confide in you, Dexter.” . So, having seated themselves, the young man began, and re- peated his sad story from first to last. His romantic marriage, and how Lionel Vernon had caused him to be dragged away on a false charge—a charge trumped up simply to remove him white the rest of the wicked plot was carried out. Geraldine’s father had then taken her away to England, and to the best of Howard's belief, had made her a prisoner in that old, deserted country-house. Later Howard had been set at liberty ; but, determined to find his wife, he had hastened to England, and there, in the forest, not far from the old house ‘where he be- he comicbooks. co