Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

239 A SEVERE THREAT. nations and bold plot to secure him as her husband because of the mad passion which possessed her heart. So absorbed were they under the whispering lime tree that they did not perceive the slender figure which crouched directly behind the tree—a very white face, with steely eyes glinting with a murderous light, and a revolver pointed—pointed straight at Lola Gordon, one white, jeweled finger upon the trigger. I am going to record something now which I know my read- ers will not credit. They will sneer at the idea and laugh the tale to scorn. But, sitting there, Lloyd Vernon suddenly heard a voice—his mind engrossed by the story of his love which he was repeating—a faint voice, which whispered in his ear. It said, softly : *¢ Look!” He started in amazement. Again it whispered, faint and far away : ‘* Look behind you!” He sprang to his feet and wheeled abruptly. He saw the kneeling figure of Lady Venetia Chandos, the weapon pointed straight at Lola. Suppressing an oath, the young man sprang forward and dashed the weapon aside. There was a loud report, and the ball buried itself harmlessly in the green grass a few feet distant. With a gesture of loathing, he caught Lady Venetia’s arm in a vise-like grip, and drew her upon her feet, confronting her with a face pale and cold as marble. - “* Murderess !” he hissed, his teeth crushed together hard, his eyes glittering with the fires of hatred burning in their dusky depths. ‘‘For the second time you are defeated in your mur- derous designs! JI have a mind to kill you where you stand, you false, cruel, treacherous thing !” She turned her turquois eyes upon his face and laughed. ‘‘T have sworn to kill her !” she panted. “So sure as any harm befalls her,” returned Lloyd Vernon, sternly, ‘‘I will take your life! You have no longer any claim upon me, or my forbearance, thank Heaven !” __ She started, and her face grew slowly white; but the devil lurked in her bewildering eyes. ‘What do you mean?’ she faltered. — **T mean this, Lady Venetia Chandos! The farce of mar- riage between us isatanend, Jama free man, and you can marry whomsoever you will. When you go home to Chandos Park you will find the news awaiting you. A year ago I warned (E(0) Eomichbooks