A Struggle for a Ring — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

- Le | c/* : we as =. | 83 THE PARTING. ‘‘VYou will be so pleased to see your own friends again,” she said, sadly. Then she thought she might venture on a word. ‘‘ You will remember, Vivian, that the truest friend you have in the world, the most grateful one, is myself.” ‘‘You are very good, Ailie,” he said. ‘‘Good-by, my dear,” He spoke lightly, carelessly, holding out his hand with a good-natured smile, without the least trace of pain, regret, or emotion. ‘‘Good-by ; try to enjoy yourself as much as you can,” he continued. , | And Ailie saw Hettie’s eyes fixed on her. That em- boldened. her to do what she never could have done without. She raised her fair, sweet face to her husband, for him to kiss it. As she did so the crimson flush seemed to burn it, and the beautiful eyes drooped. until the white lids covered them. Lord Carsdale both looked and felt surprised. . She was so shy and timid, this sweet, unloved wife of his—that she should, as it were, seek a caress from him, filled him with wonder; he did not understand the why and the where- fore; but, with that same look of half-amused wonder in his eyes, he bent down and kissed the sweet upturned face. ‘‘]t was a woman's way,” he thought to himself,‘and the next moment forgot all about it. She turned away, her whole heart leaving her and going out to him; then the*next moment he was gone. ‘‘Most handsomely, my dear, I am’ sure, has he be- haved,” said Mrs. Derwent, whose English was apt to be slightly involved. ‘‘It is only natural that you should ~ comicbooks. Ee)