Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

89 THRICE WEDDED. The boy led Robert away from the town, down toward the sea, where there were several little cottages in which fishermen lived. ‘They passed these and walked on some distance before Robert noticed where he was going, so deeply was he engaged in thought, wondering at his darling’s unexpected presence that day. At length, on looking up, he saw only the vast expanse of. the sea upon one side of him, and on the other great, rocky cliffs, rising high against the sky in somber and majestic grandeur; while behind him, nearly half a mile distant, was the town, and the great buildings of the institute. Turning suddenly to his guide, he said, sternly: ‘‘Where are you leading me?” ‘We are most there,” answered the boy, somewhat con- fusedly. ‘‘Just beyond that clump of trees is the house.” ‘‘Are you sure the gentleman told you to come to this place?’ pursued Robert, somewhat suspiciously. ‘‘Yes, sir; he said he did not like noise, and wanted to be where he could see the ocean, and be quiet,” replied young Hans, with evident truth. Robert knew his father could not bear confusion, and,that he loved the sea, though he could not help wondering that he should choage such a very remote abode, and rather an unsaie one, too, for there were reports abroad that a band of smugglers was concealed somewhere about the ledge of rocks, which they were gradually approaching. However, he continued to follow the boy, and soon came in sight of a neat little cottage, painted white, and both quickening their steps, soon arrived before the door. The boy gave three sharp raps upon it, and it was im- — mediately opened by a rough-looking man, who bade them enter. Robert’s suspicions were now fully aroused, and he de- -manded if a man by the name of Ellerton was waiting for him there. The man replied that there was, and Robert, with a rather doubtful air, entered. In an instant the door was shut and barred. A heavy hand was laid upon his shoulder, while a pistol covered his heart, and the same rough voice said: ‘‘“Make the least disturbance, and you are a dead man.” ‘What means this violence, villain?” demanded Robert, thoroughly alarmed, ‘cComicbooks.co mn