Roxy Hastings — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

228. ROXY HASTINGS. go much as the loss of even her miserable home, and being terror-stricken whenever her employer’s complainings ended, as they usually did, in some indirect threat of dis- missal. Mr. Edward’s travels were not very protracted, and when the time drew nigh for his return the letters which heralded it became more frequent, and as these always contained some tender allusion to Lucy they usually pro- duced a temporary modification of the mother’s harshness toward her. There seemed so little of the element of firmness in the gentle, yielding governess that Mrs. Allard began to per- suade herself that her resolution might still be overcome, and that she might yet be induced to make the pining youth happy, especially as he would return with the polish of travel added to his ‘‘fascinatin’ ways.” : ““Tt’s got to be one of two things,” she said, expressively, if not elegantly, to her business husband, who seldom in- terfered with her domestic rule; ‘‘either she must have him, or she must budge. Ed’ard will never git over it as long as she’s about the house lookin’ so demure and kit- ten-like, and always dressed so neat. I know she does it a purpose.” “It’s the blue eyes and curls that captivate Ned,” said the other. ! ‘“Yes, confound ’em. I’d like to see them curls clipped, and I believe she’d be shorn of her strength then, jest as Samson was.” Now, it so happened that the sighing Edward returned home in the same train which brought the American party from Liverpool to the town of Milburn; that he sat near them; that his attention was earnestly attracted to them by hearing the name of Allard spoken, and that he was driven nearly frantic by the mention of another name, which, as he had once poetically said, was “engraven on the innermost of his heart.” He listened intently, while he sucked and almost swal- lowed the ivory head of his rattan, and as he heard the most of the following conversation, although it was car- ried on ina low tone of voice, its effect upon him may well be imagined. , “TI think we had better take Mr. Tinklepaugh into our confidence before we arrive at Milburn,” said Laura, ‘‘for I am really at my wits’ end how to manage. Perhaps he can help us out.” com comicbooks