A Silver Brand — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

12 A SILVER BRAND, They had been friends, companions, sweetest conso- lation, the one oasis in the monotonous desert of her life. But she stood, motionless and erect, and saw them ruthlessly torn away, and flung over the rail- ing ina ruined heap below without so much asa quiver of the lip or the fluttering of an eyelid. For she knew the watchful eye was near that would ¢ gloat over every sign of anguish. , When the work of destruction was completed the prince rose from his seat and looked around with a smile of satisfaction upon the wretched devastation. What a pitiable sight it was. More forlorn even ee seemed possible for vandal hands to accom- plish. Still erect and motionless, like a statue of fate, stood the mistress who had loved and patiently gathered together that lost loveliness. At her feet were scattered fragments of pottery, crushed leaves and little rifts of earth, and the package of letters still lay there also. , Slowly the tyrant prince advanced toward her. “My lady, I wish you joy of your bower. I trust it will sweeten your disposition to remember that had you received me. even respectfully it had re- mained unscathed. I leave the ietters. I know you will read them, because I tell you now they will prove to youa cheat I have played upon you these fifteen years back. You will learn by them that one of your beloved ones still lives, in my power. You will look at the picture next time I come. I’ll nse my wager of that. I bid you adieu, fair Lady auline.” He swept her a mocking bow, doffing his hat, and then descended the stairs slowly. Seippel, casting a compassionate look behind him, followed also. His companion had previously withdrawn bearing away the implements used in the cruel work. The lady was alone at last, alone in her despoiled and ruined eden. She gave one shuddering glance around, drew one long, shivering breath, and stag- gered against the railing for support. There she clung, silent and motionless, until the faintness had (Ee) comicbooks