The Illegal Marriage — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

60 THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. is raving about the Guerrys; can you think why?” “Yes—I fancy he’s thinking of that old affair. My father told me about it.” “Do you know of no other reason?” “None that I can think of now. Why, Trippe? You seem to make some mystery about it.” “It’s as plainas A BC. Miss Morgan is engaged to Alf Guerry, and——” “Heavens! Trippe!” exclaimed Stannard, spring- ing from his seat; “you must be mistaken.” “T heard it from them both. My dear fellow, what is the matter?” Stannard’s face had grown deathly white, and at the doctor’s last words he sank back into his chair, burying his face in his hands. “Does she love him,” asked Stannard, hoarsely. “Heaven forbid. He is unworthy of her, but I fear that she does care for him.” Stannard covered his face again and groaned as if inagony. His very heartstrings seemed wrung, and his chest heaved convulsively. What sight is there more touching than that of a strong man in his agony? ‘Trippe understood the matter now, and saw the terrible mistake that he had made. Reaching across the table he took one of Stannard’s hands. “Pardon me, my dear friend, I was wrong to speak to you.” “No; no, Trippe, you were right. It isa shock to me, I confess—let me think a moment.” The doctor sat in silence looking at the suffering man before him, and longed to offer some consola- tion. “My friend! I know your secret now—I under- stand the cause of your emotion, I did suspect it Eomicbooks (Elo)