Gratia's Trials — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

8 GRATIA’S TRIALS. a terrible risk, and 1 feel myself responsible to you. ‘‘ You'll kiss and be friends, Gratia, dear, won’t you?” ‘TI do b’lieve you're the nearest approach to an angel of any woman I ever see, Almira,” said Mr. Kempfield,’admiringly. But Gratia shuddered as the soft, warm, wet lips touched her cheek, and her heart cried out: ‘Judas ! Judas!” CHAPTER II. IN THE SICK-ROOM, When Miss Bassett returned from the brief verbal skirmish with Gratia Kempfield, in which the latter had been so signally vanquished, she found her charge singularly excited and nervous. ‘“Gratia !” faltered the sick woman, turning her hollow eyes from side to side, and stretching out her, wasted hands. ‘‘Gratia, don't leave me now. ‘Take meaway. Don't let her stay here !” ‘«Stuff and nonsense!” said Miss Bassett, leisurely drawing the bolt across the door, and lowering the window which had stood a few incher ajar. ‘‘ You may just as well stop that palaver. ~Gratia isn’t here, nor she won't be either.” ‘‘For one minute, Almira,” moaned the feeble voice. ‘‘ Let me see her for just.one minute !” Almira Bassett sat down before the fire as unconcerned as if no word had been spoken. _ **Almira!” pleaded the faint, hesitating voice. . ‘‘ Almira !’* ‘‘ What!” suddenly snarled Miss Bassett, turning round with a start. ‘“‘Can’t I ever have a minute’s peace, for your clatter ? Ain't it enough that my sleep is broken, and my appetite spoiled, and my constitution half ruined by your whims, but you must keep fret, fret, worry, worry, the whole time? I tell you a saint couldn't stand it. Lie down and keep quiet, Mary =) » cComicbooksi:co