Roxy Hastings — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

184 ROXY HASTINGS. It was Emily’s turn to be sad now, and although she did - not oppose her lover’s plan she wept over it in secret. A painful parting they had, too, when the time came, that last evening before the ship sailed, when each simulated a hope they did not feel, to keep up the other’s spirit. With throbbing temples and a fevered frame Emily kept her bed the next morning, unable to rise, and unwilling to listen to the feeble consolation of her mother and sister. And when, soon after her pretense of a breakfast, a visitor was announced, and that visitor proved to be Mr. Lee, she felt glad that she was ill enough to be excused from seeing him, for she was sure she could not speak to a stranger without crying. But the mother’s eyes were also red, and Roxana was looking very dismal when Charley caught his first glimpse of her, and although they both brightened with joy at the sight of their friend, he knew that something was amiss. a inquired for Emily, and was told that she was not well. r ‘‘Not seriously ill, I hope?” he asked, earnestly. ‘No, sir; a headache only, and a little fever, I believe,” the mother replied. ‘‘But—is there nothing more? Pray, treat me as a friend, dear madam. You look as if you had yourself been crying.” ‘IT have—for her, poor child. It’s nothing very serious, however. Separation from a dear friend—a lover, I may as well say—who sails for China to-day.” : ‘‘Not serious. Well, I think that’s pretty serious. What does he go to China for ?” ‘“‘For want of something else to do. He was a clerk in the city ; his employers failed, or went out of business on account of the war, and Mr. Selby had to do something. - This was the first thing that offered after several months of idleness.” ‘‘In what capacity does he go?” ‘As supercargo, whatever that may be. He returns with the ship, but it will be a full year, and his earnings will be very small. And poor Emily thinks this risk is very great.” “When did he sail ?” ‘He is to sail to-day at noon.” “Oh, ho! He’s not gone yet? Let’s see then if this can’t be remedied. What is the name of the ship, and who are the owners ?” It’s the President, and it belongs to Hart Brothers,” replied the mother, with amazement, | Eomicbooks.co