At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 211: what you’re looking at

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

200 AT A GIRI'’S MERCY. this man. He was human, he would surely yield. Not that she would wish him to stain in any way his honor, but if he could do this thing for her without blemish to himself would she not win? but he would not yield. He was as sternly unyielding as he was gravely tender, and though it hurt him sorely to disappoint this sweet, brave-hearted woman, he must still keep to his commands and put it out of the power of this man to do more harm than he had done to their cause-—ay, though it should demand the lives of a hundred such men as this girl’s father, for the right should conquer, and he would not let his weak heart tempt him to yield—not even to her pleading. . But how cculd she give up hope? How could she go back to her work with the knowledge that she had failed in this pleading for her father’s life? Was there nothing she could do? She met bravely the stern face opposite her, the eyes under their gray brows, looking out kindly at this brave little daugh- ter pleading with such tenderness for her father. “Tf you will not grant this wish of mine, if you still must refuse—and I would not, even for mny fa- ther, have you stain your soul with dishonor—if you cannot grant my pleading its success, will you grant me the liberty of pleading with the man him- self, and see if there is nothing [can do with him? I must save my father, sir; I must save my father if I ean. Heis sucha brave, grand man, sir, you would help him to live if you knew. He has done nothing to shame either himself or us—there isn’t one of the Courtlands would do it—and I will save him if J~——”’ ‘‘Courtland,’”’ he said, gravely, interrupting her in her swift words. ‘‘Courtland? Is your father a — Courtland, child?’’ ‘““Yes,’’ Nan said, gravely and sweetly, her brave heart still keeping up its courage. ‘Squire Court- ene of the old Hall in the town beyond the city O FO SEA g “Squire Courtland? The man who has proved of such aid to us in this trying time? Are you sure, child?” ¥ + A, comicbooks.c ’ > = i ~ N * *, . ey i es ga ved ao et — a + ee Li YN