A Silver Brand — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

126 | A SILVER BRAND. knowledge and experience, but with aninward spasm of agitation that paled her cheek to a still ghastlier hue, and gave her eyes a glassy film almost, it would seen, of con- sternation and horror. She did not answer a word, only put one hand to her heart and stopped still in her walk, wavering to and fro as if from the effects of a heavy blow. “Auntie Pen!” exclaimed Lina, frightened and remorse- ful, as was ever the way with her quick, generous nature, “what have I said to hurt you? I did not mean it, indeed I did not mean it.” “No, poor child, Iam sure you did not,” replied Pe- nelope, in a hollow voice, and then looking up to the dark- ening sky, and involuntarily lifting an imploring hand, © she added, drearily, ‘*‘ Weare none of us sure of our mean- ings. Oh, Heaven, pity and forgive !” And then she hurried forward so swiftly the girl could scarcely keep step. Arrived at the appointed place of meeting, Penelope sat down and dropped her head into her clasped hands. Lina looked at her wistfully afew mo- ments and then went up on the rocks to watch for Serena’s boat, and perching there, presently fell into a dreamy _ reverie of her own, which was not without its pleasantness, judging by the soft smile which crept over her lips and left its hazy gleam in her eyes. Neither knew of the taxidermist’s approach until his tall form stood before her and hisgleep voice spoke : “Miss Foss.” Penelope drew away her hands with a little nervous catch of the breath and stood up before him the grave, prim, reserved Miss Foss again. “You have kept the appointment, [am glad to see. You will give those two innocent creatures another hour of their happy companionship,” he went on, SOLE erEys Penelope looked around. ‘The girl you call Serena has not come yet. I have only so much time to give. You will see it is not my fault if _ the hour is abridged,” she said, coldly. “It is coming. I see the boat coming,” called Lina, joy- fully, ‘Serena is coming.” : Penelope’s face darkened. “Why do you dislike Serena?” asked Nat, gently; “A purer, nobler soul does not exist. I count her calm, be- nign influence the very happiest this willful, impetuous, spirited little creature can receive from any source.” A little easy stole into Penelope’s pallid cheeks, cComicbooks.co