Roxy Hastings — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

156 ROXY HASTINGS. name, and had sent one to Richmond, and the other to Nor- folk, inclosed to Methodist clergymen in those places, well known to Luke. “She sure to get one o’ dem,” he said, ‘‘and ef she don’t — she’s got lots of money, and knows how to take care of herself.” 5 Luke was glad enough to travel as a servant to his young friend, for, though old, he was sufficiently strong and ac- tive for the light duties that were likely to be imposed upon him. So it was decided, and they were not long in making preparation. “T think I will go down to the army, in the first place, if I can get a pass,” the leutenant said. “I should hke to see some of my old comrades, and perhaps I can get some news of Hartley, who has not answered my last letter.” “T can get a pass for you,” Charles replied; at least I know a man who can, and will.” “What can’t you do, Charley?” said Laura. “I should like to know.” “T can’t satisfy your curiosity, Laura.” ‘No, that you can’t, until you tell me where all your money comes from,” was the laughing reply. “I repeat, it will all stop short one of these days, and then we’ll be—” ‘In the gutter—eh? Well, let’s enjoy it till it does stop, say [.” | “For shame, Laura. To talk like that, when you see how difficult it has been to overcome Alfred’s scruples. And you know these doubts displease Charles.” ‘ “Yes, mother, but it 1s so provoking not to know, you now.” ‘“‘T think I shall have to let Laura feel a little of the pri- vation she is so fond of predicting.” “Oh, you can’t, Charley. I have everything I want, and more money than I can spend in two months, and you’ll be sure to be good-natured again before that time comes around ” “Very well. I don’t see but you’ll have to go unpunished, then. Butif you’ll just keep my secret I'll be obliged to you.” | ‘Keep it? But I don’t know it.” “Of course not. I couldn’t think of tempting your in- firmity so far as to tell you. Keep what you do know of it, and then we shall be very good friends, I dare say.” Soon after Alfred’s departure Charles resolved to pay a visit to the Hastings family in Philadelphia, and also to take a trip to the oil regions, and gratify his curiosity as Eomicbooks.co