A Silver Brand — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

94 , : A SILVER BRAND. for you has lessened a single atom. Only that I love Serena, too. She is young and lovely like me, and we are very fond of each other. Nature itself meant us for dear friends. See, she has the same birth-nark as mine upon her wrist. Only see, Auntie Pen, the very same! Is it not curious, won- derful?” : x Serena came forward with a gentle, deprecating smile, her fair wrist extended. Penelope gave a single glance, and shrank back.., «That is nothing remarkable,” she said, quickly; “those brown moles are very common. Why have you mentioned yours?” “Nay,” interposed Nat, bringing forward his magnifying glass again, “it is rather peculiar when you use a glass.” See, madam.” | He made a little authoritative gesture, and put _the glass before her. Penelope looked, and seemed to harden and stiffen while she gazed. Nat’s eagle eye was fixed remorselessly upon her face, and she oo it. She rose to her feet and held out her and. “Come, Lina, let us go home now. You shall meet this friend again. I promise you solemnly. Only come home now, to spare me Theodosia’s bit- ter accusations.” —-. “When may she come?” demanded Lina. “To-night. J. will meet her at the wharf, and bring her to you,” answered the woman, her voice still hoarse and strained. “Then I will go; and, Serena, you will come?” “Tam not accustomed to be so far from home alone in the evening, although I am aware, in this quiet place, danger of any sort seems impossible,” returned Serena, hesitatingly. 7 “Have no fear. I will give you safe company,” whispered Nat, behind her. | “Yes, I willcome; and for your sake, Lina, for- oet the distrust of your friends,” continued Serena, while she kissed the girl’s scarlet cheeks fondly. “] believe with you that a watchful Providence has _ willed that our paths should cross, and our lives be blessed with true and tender friendship.” =~ Comicbooks.com —