At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

148 AT A GIRL’S MERCY. ly she would not fail him now, when there was add- ed sorrow upon him. | Her comforting was so sweet to the squire. He loved this small daughter of his with an intensity and depth that he wondered at himself, and placed her always even before the two sons, of whom any father might well be proud. There was a strength and purity about her that drew.the strong man’s proud nature, and a sweei- ness withal that had long ago, when the world was. somewhat younger, won the heart of the gallant cap- tain of the guards, when he met pretty Cora Stan- hope at a ball. Nan’s sweetness refreshed him as her sturdy old war spirit strengthened him, and therefore he came to her when he could never have gone to another, excepting the one woman who was then unable to do so. He stooped now and touched tenderly the sunny head, with its bonny curls, as he said gently, his steel blue eyes softening, meeting the frank eyes lifted to his. ‘‘Always my brave Nan. What will the old father do when his sunbeam is gone from the old Hall, and some brave laddie on the battle field claims her care? It will be hard at first, Nan, but I would not keep you here, when you are needed there, not if I could.” ‘But you’re not telling me of what you are think- ing, papa.’’ Nan leaned her head against the hand on his knee, in answer to his tender words of her going, though she could not quite bring herself to — speak of her going. “If your little Nan can help you, remember you are to tell her what troubles you, or her help will be a blind sort of thing.” “But why should I burden you with any trouble, little girl?” The squire’s face worked strangely for a moment. comicbooks.com —