Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

THRICE WEDDED. 53 - ‘How came you here?” demanded Squire Moulton, be- ginning to recover himself somewhat, and angry at the in- solent manner of the other. ‘“Well, if you must know just how I came, I rode part of the way, and walked t’other part.” There was a sly twinkle in his eye, and a sarcastic smile lurking in the corners of his mouth. “What was your object in prowling around my grounds, and listening to conversation which did not concern you!” The schemer’s voice was more friendly now, for he felt he was in the man’s power, and it would be better to tempor- ize with him than to thréaten him, though in his heart he wished he could strike him dead at his feet. ‘Well, squire, I don’t know as I object to telling you that that woman has been prowling around here, too, for several days. lve sort o had my eyes on her, and I thought Vd find out what she was up to. As to its being no concern of mine, perhaps ’tis, and then again perhaps it isn’t. Any- way, I rather think she’s got a little the best of you, hain’t she, squire!—that is,”’ he added slyly, ‘‘unless you can get hold o’ them pictures. Handsome man, that! Seems to me I’ve seen him somewhere before now.” ‘‘The duse take it!’ muttered the squire, uneasily. ~ ‘‘I would give a good deal if I had them in my possession.” ‘‘Would you, really?’ asked the other, a sudden idea seeming to strike him. ‘‘Well, what would you give a fel- ler to get them for you?” “Ah!” said Squire Moulton, starting, and eying his strange companion closely. ‘‘I would give a hundred dol- lars—fifty on the spot, and fifty more when they are in my _ possession.” ; ne golly, ’m your man, then! Fork over, and call it a Jo es The strange man sprang eagerly to his feet, evidently anxious to have his services engaged. But,” returned the other, hesitating, ‘<I don’t know anything about you. How do I know but you will make off with the money I give you, and never show yourself again? What is your name?” ‘“Well, I am a stranger in these parts, so I guess you won't be able to find out much about me, except what I choose to tell you myself. I go by the name of Ronald Kd- gerton—a pretty good sounding one, I think, too. And as Eomichoo cS mn (ele)