Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

THRICE WEDDED, 19 of the crowd threw bouquets of choice and fragrant hot- house flowers at his feet. Once he stooped to raise one; and then arose and bowed gracefully in acknowledgment of the tribute. Lhe bouquet that he raised was the loveliest cluster of flowers one ever saw; formed of pure waxen tuberoses and | heath. In vain he looked around to see whence the offering came. No one answered his look of inquiry; only his eyes fell upon the flushed and lovely face of a young girl, who was sitting quietly smiling to herself, while her downcast orbs and — heightened color, and the tears sparkling upon her long, heavy lashes, told that her very soul had been moved by the © _ glowing eloquence of the young orator. Why did Robert Ellerton’s heart leap so suddenly and fiercely within his bosom as his gaze rested upon the fair girl? He bent eagerly forward for a better view of her lovely features. They seemed strangely familiar—strangely like the face of one who had long been cherished and enshrined within the holy of hohes of his heart, and he felt almost sure that _ the elegant floral offering had come from her dainty hand. é | He cast his eyes again upon the flowers, and started as he saw, coiled between the pure leaves, a little perfumed note. He quivered in every nerve as he drew it quickly trom its hiding-place, and unfolded it. | A cry almost burst from his lips as the words within met his gaze. They were simple, chaste, yet breathing an intense longing for the one to whom they were ad- dressed. ‘Robbie, I am here; I could not stay away. Oh, come and tell me if I am welcome. Dora. ‘At the Glenburn House.” For a moment he sat clasping that precious missive, in a trance of motionless delight. He almost feared to move lest he should break the spell. His face was pale as marble, and he could scarcely credit the evidence of his own senses. He feared to raise his eyes lest the vision should have van- ished, and he find it all a dream, Eo =COomicbooks