Roxy Hastings — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. : 39 there are some people who know me here, and I think I can get a check cashed. How much do you want?” “A couple of hundred dollars, if you can raise it. But less will do.” The money was procured without difficulty. “I find your title all right,” said Ogilvie, ‘‘and we will finish the business as soon as f get back to the city, which will be in two days at farthest.” * You are still sanguine ?” “Perfectly. We shall make our fortunes—large for- tunes, too. I speak within bounds.” “I have a favor to ask.” : “ What is it?” “That my interest in this matter be kept a profound secret; that you never point me out to any one as your partner ; that you act as my attorney and agent, and allow me to remain under a cloud.” ‘Can it be done ?” “I think so. My.name is a common one, both Christian and surname, and it need not be known whether your partner is Charles Lee of New York, Boston, or Philadel- phia, or to which of the numerous families of that name he belongs.” ‘‘But your own relatives ?” | “They know not a word of it, and will not, at present, from me.” “Perhaps it can be kept secret. I will do my best, though it seems a singular whim.” “I have reasons for it which I do not wish now to di- vulge, but I will rely upon your aid.” CHAPTER VII. A DEBT OF GRATITUDE. Mrs. Hastings and her daughter Emily had fought the battle of life with uncommon courage and spirit for the - last two years, but not with striking success. The widow’s position was, in many respects, similar to that of Mrs. Lee, but her energy and ability to combat misfortune had been eater. She had been far more hopeful and sanguine, and it was surprising how her imagination would invest the most doleful circumstances with something of a cheering aspect. . Although a lady in habits and education, she accepted her altered position without any pretext or sham. She took in ‘comic JOOKS. CO