The Illegal Marriage — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

14 THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. “Believe what, Stannard? Of what are you speak- ing?” “You heard what he said. I can never believe that she—that Miss Morgan——” The sentence was not completed, for Stannard sprang to his feet and looked toward the door. Trippe turned also, and there before them, looking like a ghost or a marble statue, stood Cecilia Mor- gan, accused of murder. With open eyes which seemed to look through them rather than at them, and the steady gaze of a somnambulist, Miss Morgan turned to the doctor and gently passed her hand across her forehead. “Will he die, doctor? Will he die? Oh! doctor, please tell me?” “My dear Miss Morgan, this is no place for you now—come, let me help you back.” “But doctor, | want very much to know, for I have a particular—a particular——” Once more she passed her hand slowly across her brow, a gesture that was inexpressibly painful to the men before her. “Doctor!” she continued, “do tell me—I’ve a very particular reason for wishing to know the truth.” “Poor girl!” said Trippe, in an undertone, “the shock has been too much for her. Her mind is wan- dering.” They took her, gently by the arms, and, half sup- porting her, walked toward the door; but she saw the body, covered over with the sheet, and knew the worst. With a touching cry she sank unconscious at their feet. Once more Stannard carried her out in his arms, and, leaving the doctor by her side, ran for water. Crowding about the doors were the plantation GComicboo “S (E{e)