Laura Brayton — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

140 3 ais LAURA BRAYTON. one who seems to be so much her friend,” said Put- nam, suspiciously. | “Seems to be her friend,” said the lady, reproach- fully. “You force me to reveal to you a secret which I must defer conveying to-her fora few hours, until the victory is mine.” And leaving Laura standing where she was she led the young man to acorner of the room, and whispered a few words in his ear. “Now are you willing to do as I advise?” she asked, as they both returned to where Laura was standing. “Yes, lady, yes, and to follow all your directions. I know my Laurais safe with you, and I have no desire to take her from your side until you resign her to me.” “Then bid her not farewell, but a brief good-by, for I will conduct you where a single step will leave you in the street of the city, instructing you as I do so how to return at any moment unobserved, with- out persons are by your very side.” Putnam took the hand of Laura, and Beene it to his lips, said: “We will soon know all the mystery, dear one. You are safe. I leave you to do my part in work which must be done.” Laura’s eyes were full of tears, but she whispered a loving svood-by, and then the lady. bidding her re- main, led him away. Up another pair of narrow stone steps. with a - wall so close that it could be felt on each side of the elbows, the lady led the way, after leaving the room in which Laura remained. She carried no light, nor did she hesitate, but seemed to be familiar comircbooks co