Gratia's Trials — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

104 GRATIA’S TRIALS. «My DARLING,” it ran, ‘do not be surprised and offended if I tell you that I must leave you for a few days—four, at the farthest. Impera- tive business calls me to Boston, but I shall count every moment an hour until I can be with my dear little girl-bride again. Christmas Day is a '_ week from to-morrow; the new year must not be a month old before I call you my own in very truth. Tum that over in your mind while I am gone. Ishall be on my way to-morrow morning long before you have wakened from the sweet dreams that I pray may haunt your pillow. Ro mantic talk this, you will say, for an old man, but love makes one young again. And as I will not again ask tosee you this evening, after the ex- citement and agitation you have been through, I take this way of saying good-by. Yours, devotedly, R. M.”’ Gratia let the letter fall into her lap with almost a sensation of relief. ‘‘Four days,’ she murmured to herself—‘‘four days of re- prieve—four days all to myself! Itis what I most longed for in all the world. I shall have the opportunity now to go to Raymond and tell him what is in store forhim. Perhaps I may even bring him back with me; but no, it were better to wait until my fortunes are assured beyond the reach of any change, But I may divulge to him the bright secret of our coming life.” And Gratia’s countenance flushed and grew radiant as she pictured to herself little Raymond's joy in again seeing her. ‘‘T am selling myself fora price,” she thought, ‘‘but it is a price worth the ransom.” She breakfasted in her own room the next morning. The servants, who had already contrived to possess themselves of the fact that a change was meditated in the household, were doubly - obsequious in her service and eager to anticipate her com- mands. ‘“Scipio,” said Miss Falconer, sharply,'as she poured out her second cupvof strong coffee, ‘‘perhaps you had better step up to Miss Gratia’s room and tell her breakfast is nearly half over.” | . ‘Miss Gratia breakfasts in her own room dis mornin’, Gomicbooks.com.