At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

AT A GIRL’S MERCY. 205 since that night in your home, and I wish not to part with them on the threshold of a new life.”’ Again he laughed, and the girl unconsciously — shivered. She had borne much, but she was begin- ning to falter with this strain upon her. The full knowledge of what a treacherous, desperate man will do to accomplish his ends was being proved be- yond a doubt. She had scorned him, but he was proving his power in spite of her pride. And this man, his acknowledged tool, had pleaded with her for mercy—had dared plead with her for mercy. “T acknowledge the great sacrifice you are offer- ing when you grant the power to release my father without the granting of your life,’’ she said, steadily, ‘but I could not accept it, sir. My father would not accept it, given by the hand that gives its blow in the dark. I wish to be merciful. I might even have been more kind to you, knowing that. as you say, you are on the threshold of a new life, but I have seen so many brave lives go out without a quiver of fear that I hold if you will even you need have no fear of death. J put away all unkind thoughts, and offer my deepest sympathy and hope that you may prove your soul fit for death, and that a Higher Judge may be more merciful to you than you have been to others. Farewell, sir. We will never meet again. I grant this wish of yours, and would gladly grant the wiping out of all your life together with that of your accomplice, were it in my power.”’ She inclined her head with slow graciousness, reaching out to him the jewel-box, s»9 granting his last request, and turning, lifted the tent curtain, and” was gone, leaving him to the darkness of his thoughts, scorning the fit of paper that the lifting — of the curtain had drifted to his feet. And so his life ~ went out. ) CHAPTER XXII. A DAUGHTER OF THE UNION. Nan left the tent as bravely as she had entered it, © and was again admitted into the presence of the — . , Me 2, ay : is? “*) bs o-—. ; oO . 7 ie a Ba OR te ae ) oe spite hes comicbooks.com: | "ae Set aM Saad Xf : FS waa Sa