Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

oe we ped aigath cali cn So Umi hath at ee mF bi as ee a : ne ee -_— 4 OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. 111 able to credit his ears, and yet his heart leaping up jubi- lantly at this amicable settlement of his own trouble. “I do. You say there is no danger. I shall be here secure and tranquil. What need I to fear? Oh, it is only mankind that I need to stand in dread. Nature will whisper sweet and tender messages. Heaven is above me; . and when the next ship touches*at the island it will take me away, and he need never know my fate. He will have lost the track. Let me stay, sir.” . “It is a very singular request, but it is your wish. I have nothing to say. I will send on shore your trunk and an abundance of provisions. I will leave you signals to call the attention of passing ships: I will leave you everything to make you comfortable.” Will Yarrel, after a hasty glance around to be sure no one was in sight, seized his hand and covered it with kisses, in the midst of which came a hot splash of tears.” “« Oh, sir, the blessing of a poor, persecuted creature shall follow you. Heaven reward you, and ‘ ** Hush,” cried Captain Lo, huskily, ‘‘or you will drive me mad. My conscience has already punished me enough. Do not thank me, but bless Heaven, as I do, that it has turned what seemed a cruel imposition into a deed of mercy. Boy, boy; I was wicked enough to accept a bag of gold in payment for your passage, and you to be left on this island.” , The agony of remorse on his face explained more lucidly than his words all Captain Lo meant to confess. For a moment the wide brown eyes stared at him, and then, taking in all the revelation, they deepened and deep- ened into blackness. The two hands were flung in childish fashion over the agitated face. ‘Oh, oh,” eried Will Yarrel; ‘“‘ what have I done—what have I done that everybody should be so willing to turn against me?” - €s) EOMIECDOO (El 0)