A Silver Brand — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

= wet - - ——— 164 y creeneas tise A SILVER BRAND. . happiness are not to be bartered, nor driven here or there — by interested motives. I do not love the Lady Theresa, however I may admire and respect her.” — ‘‘Nor could Theresa love you,” rejoined the girl, calmly. ‘Dear father, spare yourself further scheming. All shall be arranged satisfactorily.” The baron drew a long sigh. “But I must be set at liberty. You must give me free egress from this place. I must hasten to America as swiftly as I can find means to go,” said Aubrey, firmly. “IT must leave to-morrow. Two months and more is long enough time to have given you.” “To-morrow !” repeated the baron, in consternation. “Tt will take weeks to arrange so delicate and dangerous a matter. Remember, Von Schubert must be outwitted, and I must contrive to send a message that Roderich will understand, and——” ‘“He shall go to-morrow if he likes,” spoke-up Theresa, calmly. “Leave Von Schubert to me, my father, and trouble yourself in no wise about the arrangements. At last I see my way clear, and read my own heart aright.” As she spoke the last words she caught up the silver brand, and swept away out of the room. The baron passed his hand wearily across his forehead. “All this is perplexing, and very wearing. I am completely exhausted of strength. Perhaps it is best, as she says, that we should spare ourselves the wor- riment, if her plans are well matured. I pray you, rest calmly, if you can, my friend. I must go to-my own chamber for a little sleep.” : “Let me lock the door behind you. I must be my own jailer in future,” said Aubrey, kindly. “But I promise you to remain here quietly until the morning reveals what | Lady Theresa’s promise is worth.” _ a CHAPTER XVI. LANDING OF THE BALLOON, - Straight downward toward the flashing blue water shot the balloon, and with dizzy brains and fainting breath, the pair of hapless aerial voyagers sought to fortify them- selves against the terrible shock which they knew must so speedily come. While he held firmly to the edge of the oP ) -comicbooks < —_—s