Roxy Hastings — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. 187 with his new friend, as they went out. ‘‘It’s—it’s tremen- dous. It’s just as if I had found a gold mine opening right under my feet.” “What will your profits be?” “Three thousand a year, at least, over and above the seven hundred interest that I shall have to pay you.” “That you will pay to Roxy. I am going to hand your securities over to her. She will own your capital.” Selby opened his eyes wider and wider. He rubbed them to make sure that he was not asleep. “You will want to be married soon?” continued Charles. “Within a month, if I can have my way.” “So say I. Let’s go and look at some houses.” Tom was past wonder now, and he consented without comment. “You'd like to have Mrs. Hastings and Roxy live with you,-I suppose ?” ‘‘Above all things.” : “You'll want a good-sized house, thei—but on reflec- tion, I’ll leave the selection of it to Roxy, who will own it.” “Own it?” “Yes, I shall buy it for her. You will be her tenant, rent free, for a few years, until you get well started in business, and as to the furniture—” “Oh, I can get that,” said Tom, hastily. “Pray let me do something. My credit will be good for thousands the mo- ment our articles are signed.” Charles smiled, and replied: “T should like to gratify you, but if you are not particu- lar about this I should prefer to furnish the house, and give it, all complete, to Roxy. The fact is,” he continued, apologetically, “I believe ladies think more of nice furni- ture than of lands and houses. It appeals more directly to their senses.” | “True,” said Tom.” “ And you’ll have the use of it all the same, you know, for the:present, and as you'll provide for the whole fam- il ie TD ‘ Good. Iam glad I can do something.” “That will be a sort of offset for the use of the house and furniture, and your accounts will be near enough square for relations.” | “Tt will leave me greatly in debt to Roxy,” said Tom; “but never mind. I see my way.” “Yes: if the obligation is too heavy, you can always di- minish it by presents, etc.” : Comicboo “S (e(0)