Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

86 - ss WPHTRICH WEDDED, with gold lace and seed pearls; while at his side there hung an elegant dagger, whose golden handle was brilliantly or-— namented with jewels. . He greeted Robert in a very gentlemanly manner as he seated himself opposite him. Our hero returned the bow, without at all losing his self-possession. | He felt assured that he was in the presence of the chief of the band of smugglers. — 5 And he was right. “Did you rest well, Mr. Ellerton?” asked the chief, as he filled a plate with the good things spread before them and passed it to Robert. ‘“Very well, indeed, sir,” he replied, courteously; ‘‘but you hawe the advantage of me, for I cannot call you by name.” ‘‘Weilman Weichel, at your service, and brother of the man whom you saluted with such warmth on entering his cottage yesterday,” replied the chief, with a smile, and bowing low. ) £6 was but in self-defense, Herr Weichel,” returned our hero, a-shade of uneasiness crossing his face at the remem- brance of the severe blow he had given the villain, ‘Nay, do not be alarmed, my friend; I know it,” said Weichel, remarking the look. ‘‘I but honor you the more for the courage and bravery you displayed; and I assure you Hans himself bears you no ill will. Weare a class of people who admire courage, be it in friend or foe.” | “Have the goodness to answer a qnestion, Herr Weichel. Why am I brought like a prisoner to this place, and yet treated in a manner of which a prince could not com- plain?” . The chief smiled at this off-hand compliment, and then replied: “ig true, you are my prisoner, or rather, let me say guest, and as such you-must remain for a few weeks. I ad- mit it is no personal feeling that causes me to retain you as - such; you have never injured me or mine, and, indeed, I respect you highly, for I know who you are, and the high © position you have always held during the few years you have — been in our country. But I will be candid with you. [am - to have fifty thousand dollars if you remain here six weeks, and that is a sum I should like to possess. I trust, however, that you will not feel like a prisoner, and I pledge myself that you shall be entertained to the best of my ability. comicbooks