Laura Brayton — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

LAURA BRAYTON. 55 need no longer watch over or care for me. If, as you have often said, you have money of mine in your hands, keep it, but give me my freedom. I can at least live by the labor of my hands, for you have had me taught how to work ever since I was old enough to stand. Keep what you have of mine, but let me go!” “That might suit you, but not me. That might suit your hero, Mr. Eldridge Putnam, but it does not suit me. No, girl,no! You are my ward, and you shall obey me!” ° “Show me the papers that give you a right of control over me.” “JT will when I feel inclined. At present I do not. How do you know that I have nota parent’s right to control you.” “Because the repugnance which fills my soul when I look at you tells me you have not. Because nature, shuddering at your deformity, tells me no kindred blood to you fills any vein of mine.” “Girl, were not revenge | too precious I would throttle you to death on the spot. I will make you weep oceans of tears for every taunt. Mark me, Laura Brayton! get ready for marriage. When you are the wife of a gambler, a thief, and a murderer, who dares not thwart me in anything I bid him do, I will tell you what blood runs in your veins. Be- gone! you have angered me almost beyond control. Begone! but remember you are watched. Do not attempt to leave this house without my permission, or you shall pass the next twenty-four hours in the slimy cellar-vaults with rats for companions.” The poor girl went shuddering from the room, while he, raging like a wild beast, hopped to and fro around the room on his deformed limbs, looking Ss comicboo com ~