Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

86 THE MAN WHO WORE THE WHITE PRIMROSE. Bob holds his breath, but in his mind comes the thought that the man who is fated to soon make the acquaintance of this toy whip is to be pitied. The lash descends with stinging emphasis—it twists about the Virginian’s proud neck, it cuts across his handsome face, leaving a livid welt. While it does not whistle through the air, it seems to fall with emphasis. Truly, Miss Gordon has. some mus- cular force in that nervy little arm of hers, and when the fires rage within it shows how dangerous any man may find it to offer her an insult. Bob pushes closer, not knowing what the amazed Virginian may do when he recovers from his stupor; the sting of his chastisement may cause Guy Liv- insgtone to forget that it comes from the hand of a girl. Of course, such a scene as this, happening in the first hotel of Denver, creates intense excitement. It all occurs in a minute of time, but the attention of almost every soul in the place is immediately drawn to the spot. Asis usual in such cases, the sympathy of the crowd is with the girl. Perhaps this is because her vail has been flung back so that she may see where to lay her lashes, and the masculine eyes are able to scan her beauty. ‘There is, however, another cause. In an affair of this kind men incline to take the part of the woman because she is the weaker vessel, and. no woinan would be using a whip upon a dashing Lothario unless she had wrongs to avenge. 80, while voices are raised and even shouts can be heard, they are all in her favor. GComichooksscom