Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

180 THRICE WEDDED. firmly bound the squire’s arms-behind him, wholly dimind ful of his curses and shrieks. When this was accomplished Mr. Ellerton turned to Ralph, and said gratefully: “Young man, I know not who you are, whether friend or foe; but you have saved my life, and for this I am inex- pr essibly thankful.” “‘T ask no thanks; I have simply done my duty,” replied Ralph, quietly and coldly, though he gazed searchingly in the other’s face. ‘hen, after a moment, he added, while the not blood rushed over his features, ‘‘Perhaps it is right that you should know wholam. My name is Ralph Moul- ton Hllerton.” — **You!” he gasped, staggering back as if some one had struck him. ‘‘Yes, sir; and, of course, with your blood owing 1 in my veins, I could not see him do this thing,” returned the young man. “Ah, my friend, I know what you think, and I assure you you have been ‘grossly deceived about your history, and are not so much to be blamed for the part you have taken against me and mine.” “What! do you mean still to deny our relationship?” asked Ralph, an indignant sparkle replacing the former cold glitter of his eye. “T have never denied the true relationship existing be- tween us, But I have never wronged you, neither have I ever done you any good. How could I, when you were in the hands of my bitterest foe? Had he not taken you, be- | lieve me, I would never have allowed you to suffer,” said his companion, earnestly. Ralph gazed at him half wonderingly; he could not doubt the truthful look which he saw upon his face, yet he asked severely: “Do you mean to say that you have never done me wrong in denying your own flesh and blood, and have you never done me wrong in the injury you have done my mother? What am [if I am not your son?” “You are not my son. Iswear it! I told you that you had been eruelly deceived. You are the son of my brother, who married your mother in secret, or rather, without con- sulting his friends, and shame be upon him, aries her ~ goon after 7oMe, birth.” comic Noo ‘S.CO