A Daughter of Maryland — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND, 129 decision only after long and careful study. Have I been unwise in telling you this?’’ | “Yes, and no. I don’t know what to say, Robert; what to think. ’’ | ‘*Do what you think is right, Aurian, and bravely meet the consequences. I may ngt be here when you come back from New England, for I shall enlist the moment war breaks out. But always remember, though I have been ' obliged to deceive your father in this matter, in spite of whatever may happen now or hereafter I am unto death his friend and yours. Now, one kiss of parting, dearest of sisters ; the next may be given under the seal of blood.’’ And that was the message Robert had for her! Dazed, bewildered, she left him pacing the floor. In the hall she was met by her father, who asked: ‘‘It is settled between you two, my child?’’ Not daring to trust herself to speak, she bowed her head, as she hurried to her room, where she threw herself upon her couch in a flood of tears. One thing she realized in that hour of darkness. Not until then had she known the true nobility of Robert Lancier. For once Maze was forgotten, and S’posen Jones waited in vain for his mistress to come for the canter that was never taken. : The following morning the tearful partings were made, and though Aurian had come near giving up the trip at the last moment, she finally found herself on an eastern bound train, with the parting words of her father ringing in her ears. She never had a clear conception of that journey. It was late into the night, and she seemed the only person among the sleepy passengers affected by the call, when the conductor exclaimed : “Machine Falls !’? Rousing up and looking drearily out of the car window — into the dimly lighted station, deserted save for two soli- tary figures, she saw awaiting her the last person on earth she expected to meet—Carroll Southard | ~-EOmIic cS 7 i * > i vo 900 . +, +... ie ri a 2 “3 * 7 Li I MN