A Silver Brand — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

174 | A SILVER BRAND. “Stephano !” exclaimed he, eagerly. But the bowed head was lifted up, and areal him the ghastly face of Penelope Foss. Wretchedly indeed must the long day have passed with this woman to have left such marks upon her face. He hastened to open the door, and set her a chair. “My dear Miss Foss, it is very unwise to give way to your grief in this way. For Lina’s sake, surely, you will forbear killing yourself. Remember we have had as yet but a very short time for search.” Penelope rose stiffly and dropped into a chair. He noticed now that she had a small bundle on her arm, and that another lay on the ground by the door. “re you going away ?” he asked, in keen surprise. “Yes,” returned she; “I am going to search for Lina. I will search the wide world till I-find her. I will never stop, and never lose heart until I have found Lina.” “his is very foolish,” said Nat, decisively. ‘‘I wonder that your family allowed such an entirely useless proceed- ing. You will do far better to go back and wait for the result of the detective’s investigation.” She looked at him earnestly. ‘‘Are you deceiving me? You told me that you wanted to snatch her away. Is not this the result of your plan ?” “Would to Heaven it were!” replied Nat. “No, no, Miss Foss, I know nothing whatever about it.” “Oh, do not cheat me,” implored she, mildly; ‘‘do not try to cheat me. For see, I come over to your side. They have turned me from their door. Theodosia flung her bit- ter anathema after me, and bade me never to seek to look upon her face again without I brought Lina back. If you have her hidden away take me to her, and I shall be happy ; itis all Task. I will leave all the rest to you. Only take me to Lina!” “Would to Heaven it layin my power, ” returned Nat, deeply affected by her despairing anguish. “I suffer my- self keenly with anxiety concerning the dear child.” ‘Do you think she has been killed?” asked Penelope, in a hollow voice. “I heard them tell about finding blood in the boat. ‘No, no, do not fancy anything so horrible,” he an- swered, shuddering, ‘‘Believe me, whoever has taken her away will guard her health and safety jealously.” “You believe it 1s some one who knows her history, I see that,” said Penelope, drearily. ‘Oh, my little Lina, how much grief and trouble have come to » you out of that, y (Efe) comicbooks