Gratia's Trials — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

GRATIA’S FRIALS. | 101 back to her cheeks, and a bright, exultant fire flashed into her eyes. ‘Mr. Miller, you are not trifling with me,” she pleaded. ‘‘Remember, J am a homeless, motherless girl, and my position alone should exempt me from such cruel jokes,” He drew her gently toward him. ‘‘Tam not trifling at all, Gratia,” he said. ‘‘Am I in any way set apart from the rest of mankind that I should not marry, like them? I have lived a bachelor to the age of fifty-six years ; if in the fifty-seventh I chance to change my mind, is it any man’s business save mine? I have elected you to be my wife, my dear little girl; all that is lacking is your consent. Yes or no, Gratia? Iam a business man, you see,” he added, smiling to conceal his own nervousness, ‘‘and accustomed to straight- forward transactions. To be sure, I am many years older than you, but I have money and a home to offer you as an equiva- lent for your youth and loveliness, The world will not call it an unequal bargain. I have learned to love and respect you, in all these weeks of your trial and endurance, and if you con- sent to give yourself to me, I will strive that you shall not regret it. Gratia, will you marry me?” | Had he asked her, ‘‘Gratia, do you Jove me?” sHe could not have answered him satisfactorily. But as it was, she spoke the word ‘‘ Yes,” and placed her hand trustingly in his. ‘¢ My darling,” he whispered, lowering his voice to a tone of deep tenderness she never before had heard in its accent, ‘‘it shall be the study of my life to make you happy. The ‘old man’s darling’ shall never repent the choice she has made. Now come with me.” ‘¢ Where ?” ‘©To tell those who are so interested in your welfare,” he said, smiling roguishly. ‘‘Our engagement must be a short one, Gratia. I am not a young man, with years to throw away, and the sooner matters are adjusted on their proper footing, the better.” Eomicbooks.co im