Roxy Hastings — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

190 | ROXY HASTINGS. hope, when he comes home. As for myself, I am quite a man of business.” “Who is Alf?” Mrs. Hastings asked. And now, for the first time, Charles told them about his military brother, and his extraordinary adventures, ‘awakening the deepest interest, but he hinted nothing of that broken heart for which he was thus covertly seeking a balm. | | His stay in Philadelphia having been prolonged beyond his expectations, he abandoned his contemplated visit to the oil region, and returned to New York, where, as has been seen, he met the Eldons, and heard, with no little ex- citement, of the startling events which had occurred during his absence, CHAPTER XXXVI. ‘“HOW WE SHALL MISS HER.” Mrs. Lee entered heartily into Charles’ plan when it was confided to her, and when she had been told not only of all Roxana’s charms, but that she was possessed of quite a nice little property. “T wonder that you have not thought of her for yourself, if she is all that you say,” said the mother.” Charley blushed, and replied : | “Well, I’ve been wondering at it myself, but the truth is, | thought of Alf first, and—and then she’d be sure to like him, you know. There’s time enough for me.” The widow gazed at the fine, frank face of her son a mo- ment, and wondered whether she had not underrated his noble, generous nature, and whether she had been guilty of favoritism toward her eldest born. When the time for Roxy’s visit drew near Charles be- came a little graver than usual, and was. often caught in strange reveries, which he came out of with a start when spoken to. But what was that ina man of his extensive business? He went off cheerily enough to Philadelphia, he and Laura, having announced themselves by letter the — preceding day; and his delight grew into something quite ecstatic when he found that his sister highly approved. of his pet, and that the two were on the best and most cordial terms from the moment of meeting. ‘‘Isn’t she sweet?” he asked. — Eomicbooks.co