Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

id BONNY JEAN, — to you. Your late husband was aware that I am very wealthy ; that I have large sums of money safely invested ; and as he wished his daughter’s future provided for—and yours, too, for, of course, I shal] do all in my power, madam, to render you comfortable—and as he respected and esteemed me as a friend, he did me this honor. If you have any doubt concerning the authenticity of this document—though you have already recog: nized your husband's signature—you have only to question Burns and Norris, the two witnesses, and they will corroborate my words. In conclusion, I have only to add that it is my wish that the ceremony be performed as soon as possible. You two are alone, and need a protector is ‘*T will die first!” cried Jean, indignantly. ‘‘I will never submit, Gabriel Black !” ‘‘Oh, yes, you will,” he said, softly, but there was a world of meaning in his eyes. ‘‘ Perhaps you are thinking of inter- position from young Randall? But, if youcherish such hopes, Miss Jean, you had better dismiss them at once, for Philip Randall is a married man.” ‘‘That is false !” tis true. His wife is living in New Orleans, and I can prove it to your satisfaction. Furthermore, he has gone back to the city this morning on the early train. Nobody else in the camp here knows his whereabouts, but I have kept my eyes upon his movements for a long time. However, that has nothing to do with the subject in hand. The question is this : Will you consent to a quiet marriage, or will you break the solemn oath sworn to your dying father?” “Jean! Jean! My poor child !” Mrs. Conway wound her arms around her daughter’s slender form, and her tears fell fast upon the goldon head. Silence reigned throughout the cabin. ‘* You dare not break your oath, Jean,” cried her mother, still holding the slim form close to her heart. ‘* Yet, how can you keep it?’ My God! what shall we do 2?” | (eo) =) cS Gomicboo