Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

“That old man—that bad, vindictive old man—accuses her (Migs Hebel’ ne the dear Lord’s sake, vohich do you mean?” of being both. Norah, this morning’s post has brought an ~ answer to my letter.” “From Mr. Peter Fisher?” breathlessly. “From Peter Fisher—yes! A letter that is a tissue of lies from beginning to end. This child has suffered as few girls of her age have ever suffered, I am convinced. Listen, Norah, I will read it to you. But are you sure she sleeps ?” “Sure and certain, Miss Helen. She has never opened her eyes since her morning draught. She won’t hear you--never | fear.”, : Helen Mallory drew a letter from her pocket, and Weal to | read aloud. _ Low as the sweet voice was, the sick girl heard every word. “ (ROCKLEDGE, August -4, 18—. «“ Miss Hetren MALubory. —_Madame, your favor of the 20th : Ss of July has duly come to hand. Its receipt and contents did ; : [ > ” va c . . Var et * ie Fay s 4 , . not surprise me. I expected it. IJ knew, when that miser- able girl fled from the home which has sheltered her for over Naixteen years, she would fly to you... | “And now permit me to rectify one or two little mistakes in your letter. You speak of your niece, Estella Mallory. There is no such person. The runaway you are sheltering is Mrs. Roysten Darrell, who has wickedly fled from her ‘home and her husband. If that were her only crime, one might try _ to forgive it, but she is also—I tell it with grief and horror— an attempted murderess! Before she fled from Fisher’ g Folly she tried to take her husband’s life—she tried to poison him. That she did not succeed, no thanks is due to her—she administered an overdose. Captain Roysten Darrell has re- covered, and has quitted Rockledge. He is a seafaring man, _ and a husband worthy a better wife. There was no time for him to pursue and recapture his fugitive bride, but he will be back here in three or four months at the farthest, fully _ prepared to press his rightful claim. Let your niece, Estella Darrell, deny these facts, if she can. If- you, Miss Helen - ‘Mallery: choose to shelter a runaway wife, you can do so, and ~ abide the consequences when her husband returns. If she will come back to my protection, all will be forgiven, and Captain Darrell, who is infatuatedly fond of her, will thank- fully overlook the past, and take her back. I remain, mad- ame, yours to command. PETER FisueEr.’ ” Miss Mallory paused, very pale, and looked at her old _ “T have finished,” the. said. “What a you think of this a se _ terrible letter, . Norah 4 y? m com 300 oks-Eo