A Struggle for a Ring — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

A BRIDE’S LETTERS. 4s - to save her from the consequences of it, I have married her; try to love her, for she is my wife.’ That is what I should like to do, you understand; but I am afraid, and I will tell you why. You need not tremble; it is nothing, as you will find if you listen. My father’s hopes are fixed on me, and I hesitate about letting him know that those hopes are all in vain.” ‘* But why?” she said, gently; ‘‘ why, if you knew this, have you married me?” It was touching and amusing to see the young lordling’s chivalry. ‘Why? Because your fair name is more to me than all the world besides ; nothing can be of any value compared to this. Listen, Alice. . Always remember that it is of no use to argue about the inevitable; it is too late to consider now whether we have done a wise thing or not; we are married, therefore all questions as to the prudence of our marriage are useless.” The handsome face, with its youthful fervor, wore an expression of importance that was amusing. ‘‘T have thought this well over, Alice; we must keep our marriage quite secret from my father, for some time at least. He is not very strong, many of the Carsdales die young, and not for all the world could I bear to think that any action of mine made my father suffer—injured his health, or anything of the kind—that would never do.” She agreed that it would never do. ‘«We can keep our secret very well; it must be kept. Then my mother, she is strong and healthy enough; but - she is very proud, and she might just at first feel vexed. So, for many reasons, it will be better kept from them. Do you agree with me?” S Eee nate 2 Eomicboo (eo)