Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

~ 133 ) on, ny Essie.” hes ‘aaa: “finish your song.” Ean ee finished. T hardly knew I was singing. I was only . try par - to pass the interval between dressing and dinner. It is bee adits ¢ er tne is it not t And Aunt Helen—has she sent you ‘ Cent Helen is not coming down, 1% think. I saw her a oment ago at the door of her: room, and she was not dressed. af: raid she is ill.” he piesa rose up in quick alarm, “Oh, Mr. Burtcans ee, Soe He * Taid his ee upon her shoulder, and gently held her Ae Pack ing for you. She knows why I have come here. She knows I _ have eome to ask you to be my wife!” were plain,. Heaven knows, but the girl stood like one who _ does not understand, staring with wild, brown eyes. “Yo you hear me, Essie? To ask you to be my wife! I ‘ oh ave sania Helen’: s best wishes and consent. Have IT also VC 5 st ~~ "f y ao = st ° é , ae € words were very gentle, the voice low and soft, has iN . In the moment of asking, he despised himself. It was the first 1 mean and cowardly action of his life. Be “Speak, Estella,” he said, impatiently—“speak and tell mel “iS Will you marry me? Will you be my wife?” s “Your wife?” ist She Bases the words. oh she Sraprei A re of celes- tial bliss seemed suddenly to fill her heart. Oh, was she dreaming, or did earth hold such rapture for her? | : ie a “My wife, Essie—mine, your whole life long! I will do zs by Fr enddae to become worthy my dear little bride. “Essie, Essie! is it to be yes or no?” : Bet He bent above her; he tried to see her face. The mo- oh "mentary excitement of love-making, like the excitement of 2d : being, and he was really i in earnest. - 5 to > ks ot. eal 2 stella! Estella! !” he eaiteienea: bitterly, ‘you too! And 2 Ade “One instant, Essie—only one, ue you shalt She is wait- underneath there was a hard intonation, a cold, metallic ring. me =. He wanted Estella to say yes now. But Estella had cov- e red her face with both hands, and. sat. trembling from head Oh, I must go = ~The murder.was out—blurted abruptly enough. The words yee to make you happy. , You shall never regret it, if it — ae 1 my power. T am not a good man, but I will do my best, . : eI cambling or horse-racing, had carried him away for the time ; “ Fihov g late for me al little.” See (E(@) 71) waa PSE a ea ee a Sen eet connie: 300 Ss { 7 eat P; a ; oa ? ne 2% sf 7 | “ re ; # ote . ~ % rue < ‘ »