Laura Brayton — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

48 LAURA BRAYTON. The fact that all is just as I remember it was when last in the secret apartments satisfies me that no one now dwelling under that roof is aware of its mysteries. We can punish the sordid wretch terri- bly, if like most children of guilt he is a coward at heart.” “T will go to order a carriage at once,” said the captain. “Do so, and pay the bill while it is coming,” said the lady, handing him a purse. “Soon—how my heart throbs at the thought—I shall see and be near to watch over her who has so long been in the power.of a monster in form and in spirit.” And the face of the lady flushed with excite- ment, told how earnestly she was entering on the work before her. The captain was gone but a very short time. “Fortune favors us, madam,” said he. “Instead of being obliged to engage a city hack, which might be tracked, I fell in with a private carriage owned by a young farmer who lives just outside of the city. After a brief conversation with him I have engaged him to take our luggage and ourselves away. And, madam, Ihave told the clerk we are going to Philadelphia by the next train, so as to throw any one off our track who goes to him for information.” “You have done exccedingly well, good captain. Were it not for you, I know not how I could pro- ceed in my labor to right myself and gain a cause so dear to me that when once successful, I could resign life without a murmur.” “Tl am only doing my duty, madam. I have a dark past to wash away, and only good work can Eomicbooks (aCe)