A Silver Brand — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

s A SILVER BRAND, et eae island at all. That we are bound to our fairy castle at” last ?” “It is lovely,” echoed Serena, softly, “and I myself have yielded a little to the seductive spell of the moonlight and the murmuring waves. It does seem pleasant to think of floating on in this sort of lotus-eater trance. .But it is very weak and very unwise to yield to such a mood. And so, my darling, [I will make a desperate effort and break the spell. And you must not say me nay again, nor seek to coax me from turning the boat shoreward.” “If inexorable destiny were only as gentle in her firm- ness as you are, my best Serena, I should kiss her hands, and bow meekly. But when it comes in Aunt Theodosia’s — fashion all my best blood bubbles up in rebellion,” re- turned Lina, rising obediently, and taking another ‘seat, while Serena took up her hght oars. “How I wish I- might help you. - If only they would allow me to row, you should neyer work those oars alone,” she added, remorse- fully. ‘‘But look!” exclaimed Lina again. “That boat is com- ing toward us. And do you see there is another one coming around the western point? .Do you think there is any- thing the matter on shore? or has Nat sent for us, alarmed _ at our long absence ?” ‘‘Tam sure I cannot imagine, ‘but we shall soon ee _ they ha've the’ wind in their favor, and will soon be here,” answered Serena, still bending her strength to the oars. “There is only a single man in the first boat, and he is coming straight toward us. I should think if it was Nat he would call.” Their curiosity was speedily pratified: The approaching boat neared them, and pulling off his cap, the rower called : “Young lady—Miss Lina, I be. sent by a friend to ask you to come around toward those rocks yonder. Some one is waiting for you there.” “Some one who?” demanded Lina, a little startled to find the speaker an entire stranger. “T don’t know much about it, but he give me acard, and said you would understand. Saying which he reached over, taking hold of their boat to do it, and laid a card on the seat. Lina took it-up, and held it in the flood of meena ‘She gave a little cry of triumphant joy. ‘Aubrey Dalberg! Oh, Serena, I must go. He was to find out Ace me the key to my secret.” oan (Efe) comicbooks