A Silver Brand — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

47 A BILVER BRAND,” “Little happy heart,” he said; “I would fain be careful for your sake how I-.move wrongly, though it is little I heed the jeers of those who laugh at the crazy sronaut.” “What can you mean, Carl? You were not to blame about the balloon,” she began. 3 He sat down in the chair, drawing her into his lap. ‘““Thou shalt say, Crezence, what I shall do in the mat- ter. I am going to tell you the lady’s story, and you shall be the judge.” And then he told her, in simple language, the story which he had heard from Lady Pauline, and added thereto a description of the day’s adventures. The tears were raining softly down her face when he concluded. “Oh, Carl, dear Carl! it seemsas if Heaven sent you especially for her rescue. We cannot turn away from her now. Surely we can hide her safely, and though we are - poor,” and here she paused and sighed. “It will be such a grief to you to forbear. attempting another balloon, but— - but all we can save will suffice to make the difference, won’t it?” : “But the danger—the risk,” he said, gravely. “Do you think Iam afraid of that? Who will dare harm you for protecting a persecuted lady like this? I will take all the blame myself.” | How the bright eyes flashed yet brighter with their indignation and zealous resolution. | “My little Crezence! the brightest jewel a man has ever possessed,” cried the enraptured husband. ‘‘I knew that would be your answer. Yes, we will protect and help the lady.” He put his arm around her, and drew the, little rosy- faced woman into Pauline’s presence. | ‘‘My lady,” he said, proudly, “the fraulein has decided | - as ] told you she would.” ‘“May Heaven bless you both!” faltered Lady Pauline, But since I know all your goodness and generosity it fright- ens me the more to know all the danger you will incur. Let me have a disguise of some sort as speedily as possible, and where will you hide me from every eye, even your most trusted neighbors ?” “Tam thinking about that,” returned the wife. ‘Carl and I: are clever enough to contrive a safe place. You know the little upper. s:hamber that is scarcely more than a closet? There is only one door of entrance, and one . ‘COMICHOOKS.co!