Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

vi eae see SAS la AME OL Noni ay Bt acta ‘ 5 a nN ie Zt iy ag! ‘ Nett 98 - OCTAVIA’'S PRIDE. was an empty shell, from which the living principle had flown. But it was not the time to bewail now. Softly as a fairy she stole across the room, and laid her hand on the secretaire. ‘The key was in the door, which saved her a lit- tle time, though she had provided a duplicate which the master of the secretaire had intrusted to her care a year ago. She turned it softly and cautiously, opened the door, and explored with her hand within. Everything had been disarranged, but she was seeking for a little ivory knob, ostensibly there to hang the diary on, but really the cover of a spring which disclosed the secret drawer. Doctor Morley had taught her how it operated, and it: was there, she knew, the mysterious package which was to be saved from careless hands, and carried by herself to its — unknown destination. She did not feel alarmed about its present safety.. Something seemed to assure her that Mr. Aaron Morley had not discovered the spring or the secret drawer to which it admitted. She found the knob and pressed it firmly. The lid which concealed the aperture dropped with a sharp click. Jane stood motionless again, and she was all ear. Once more she fancied there was a sound; she could not tell if it was a rustling movement or a soft breath near her. _ | She examined the room as thoroughly as the dim light would allow. ‘There was certainly a vibration of the skele- ton. Dida ghost animate the rattling bones at such an uncanny hour? | | ~ Jane West was a steady, healthy young woman; a whole army of ghosts would not have frightened away her courage. She had a quick suspicion of a far more dangerous visitor, and plunged her hands hastily into the secret drawer. It was nearly full, and the darkness confused her; there seemed to be two boxes, and how was she to know which was the comicbooks. com. 3 Ni hal