Gratia's Trials — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

avi tae <i 4 need eee GRATIA’S TRIALS. 191 it—on/y one ; the other, the adopted daughter of his heart, had long since proved herself unworthy of the title, and been cast out of his affections. The next few days were passed in the pleasant excitement of packing, and all the numberless preparations that are incident to a contemplated journey. CHAPTER XXXYV, DRIVEN TO BAY, It was a bright February afternoon in New York. There was no snow on the ground, but the trees in Madison Park were all hung with a diamond fringe of icicles, which tinkled like myriads of tiny bells in the wind. Broadway and Fifth avenue were crowded with elegant equipages and superbly attired promenaders ; and everything looked like a gala day to Alicia Melworth’s enchanted eyes as she sat at the window of her parlor, in a marble-fronted hotel, gazing out upon the daz- zling scene which met her glance. ‘‘T declare, Gratia,” she cried, with pretty enthusiasm, ce] don’t wonder you were homesick. This New York of yours is like a leaf out of a book of Eastern fairy tales; it seems as if all in the city were enjoying themselves, And after that delight- ful drive in Central Park yesterday, I’m perfectly wild to go again; but the Chichesters have got some other programme marked out for this afternoon, and papa and Algernon expect visitors, I believe. Gratia, don’t you think you and I might slip on our things and just go for a ttle walk all by our- selves ?” ‘‘T do not see why not,” said Gratia. ‘¢Oh, dear, here comes somebody to frustrate our plan !” said Alicia, as there came a knock at the door. It was a waiter, with some cards for Miss Melworth. mM icomicbooks.co