The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

12 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. ‘I regret,” said Richard Lawrence, mildly, “ that I should have been the involuntary cause of this dispute. I thank Mr. Gridley kindly for his offer, but I am capable, quite capable, of executing the orders I have received.” | **You are nothing of the kind,” interrupted his friend, struck by the sudden paleness of the speaker: “Uncle,” he added, “I am sure you can spare Mr. Lawrence for a few days, till his health is re- established 2?” Grindem hesitated. *‘ Impossible,” said Mr. Small, emboldened by his partner’s silence ; ‘‘ there is so much out-door work to do, which, as junior clerk, falls to””— “TI will replace him!” said Henry Beacham ; “ it is a long time since I took my turn at business; Lawrence, I am sure, is seriously ill: would you,” he added, ** murder him ?” This was exactly the same question, which Gridley had asked, and the old man, struck by the coincidence, fixed his eyes inquiringly, nay, even menacingly, upon the head of the firm. The gaze produced its effect, for, suddenly turning to his clerk, he graciously gave him a month’s leave of absence to re-establish his health, and then retired to his room without uttering another word. ‘“ Humph! muttered Gridley, as he returned to his stool; ‘not so bad as I thought.” “Take a fly,” whispered Henry, as he pressed his COniiclooecl SS (SO