At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

* on a vie ‘ore ; _ : AT A GIRL’S MERCY. 149 Had not Nan all a girl should have to make her heart sad? Why should he lay heavier burden upon the willing shoulders, dimpled with the freshness of youth? Why should he darken her sweet life with his worries and struggles to overcome the battle of his own life away from the battle-fields where he would so gladly have fought for his country’s honor? How could he let her know in how much she was the cause of his present troubles, and why he had been so long troubled in regard to meeting the exigencies of the case, following any unkind act of hers toward Howard Blake, his creditor? but Nan read his thoughts, and came to his assistance with her quick, strong words. “Tt’?s that horrid Howard Blake, Papa Court- land!”? she cried, starting up and facing him with flashing eyes. ‘‘You needn’t deny it. 1 am as sure of it as though you had already told me, and I was so afraid he would do this that I know he has done, because—oh, papa, dearest, even you would not have me doit! How could I ever say I could care for such a coward? How could I ever try to do more than tolerate him? I simply couldn’t, papa. I am sorry I spoke to him as crossly as I did, but I was so angry at him even thinking I would or could think anything of him, that I said what I felt like saying’ at the time, without thinking of how it might affect you. If he has done anything unkind I am so sorry, papa, but I could never have an- swered him other than I did. And what if he has demanded his money? Can’t you pay it to him, papa? Can’t you give him the amount at once, so you need never worry about it any more? It will be so good to be out of his hands, papa! One would be willing to do almost anything for that. We would =} Eomicbooks