Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

A FIGHT WITH FORTUNE. 157 doughty Colonel Cornelius, so well known in Rich- mond, but believed to be a bachelor. ‘‘She had been tempted to visit the register’s office, examine the books, and make an alteration.’’ ‘“What?’’? says Bob, mechanically, for he is so ut- terly confused by this unexpected rich treat of good things that he is hardly able to believe his ears. ‘“Ves, this Blanche Gordon thus confessed, in her agony, that she changed a figure in the birth entry of your wife—she-had yielded to temptation, and conscience accused her. ‘(Very fine girl she appears to be, and I have been quite smitten with her, in spite of the fact that she is a daughter of Cornelius Gordon. I’ve about con- cluded to enter the lists myself, and make your wife’s uncle acknowledge this young creature.’ “Hello! leans that way, eh ?”’ ‘‘Nonsense—purely philanthropical, I assure you. Glad to do any one a good turn.”’ ‘Runny thing,’’ persists Bob. iW Hatt. “Tf after all, we, who have been so thick in the past, should marry cousins.’ ‘““Tust your luck, Bob, old boy, to get the heiress. Now, you’ve heard my story—let’s have yours.”’ ‘First, where is Blanche Gordon ?”’ ‘(At the hospital, in the pay department. I saw her taken there myself, and ordered that nothing should be lacking in their care of her. She will not commu- nicate with any one else. Now, spin your yarn, for I know it must be a queer one. ”’ Bob does so, beginning with his visit to Virginia, Connicooolks,.€e) oh) =>