Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

| “Phen, with your kind permission, I will telegraph tomy husband to join us bere.” This proposal also was cordially seconded, and a messaxze was at onee sent to London asking Mr. Earlescourt to come to Brighton immediately, and to bring with him the small package containing the clothing which Marie had worn on the night of her rescue from the Chicago fire. The remainder of the day and evening was spent by Mars. Earlescort and Mrs. Stewart in talking over the eventful past in the most friendly manner, while the three young ladies, Hnzel, Marie, and Belle, gave themselves up to the enjoyment of being once more together, and spent the happy yours in planning for ee future, when they should all meet ayaiu in Lon- on. » Belle was in an almost ecstatic state to have Hazel cleared of every foul suspicion, and this, added to the tact that Marie Earlescourt, whom she always revered and looked upon as above most mortals, was “her very own sister,”’ was almost too much of joy for one heart to contain. “Mrs, Stewart,’ Mrs. Earlescourt remarked, grave- ly, when that lady at last arose to return to Crescent Villa; ‘I fear you will think that I aim very selfish, but Ido not feel as if I could ever part with Marie. People would naturally think that the tie of blood should be regarded the strongest, and so it should, under ordinary circumstances; but I cannot recog- nize it in this instance,” and the beautiful woman beut a look of infinite tenderness upon the adopted daughter. “I do not feel that it wonld be right to ask you to give her. up,” Mrs. Stewart respouded, tearfully. “Of course you are far more to her than I co er hone to be, and it would be cruel to both AEA RST RODE