Roxy Hastings — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

42 ROXY HASTINGS. - “She is well; she did not write, and as to her looks, she 18 SO handsome that any mother might be proud of her.” “Dear child! How glad Iam to hear of her! Did she send any message, sir ?” ‘No, ma’am, but I believe she expects you to come or send for her within a fortnight, and that she is to live hereafter with you.” ‘“She expects this!” said the mother, looking with a sad and surprised air at Emily. ‘‘How can she, after what we wrote? A long and expensive journey, too. It is very strange.” 3 “To lessen your surprise then, madam, or perhaps to increase it, I will tell you that Miss Roxana rendered me a most timely and important service while I was in ——, which made me greatly her debtor.” ‘Roxana! How was this possible ?” ‘‘No matter, she did it, and itis to requite, in part, ina very small part, this favor that I am here to- night.” The widow and her daughter were listening with al- most breathless eagerness. “She, or rather her uncle, told me of your—your slight temporary embarrassment—” “Do not be afraid to speak plainly, Mr. Lee,” said the widow. ‘‘Our embarrassment can hardly be called ‘slight or temporary, say rather our deep and utter poverty.” ‘“Mother !” “No matter. Iam here to.help you, and thus discharge a small portion of my debts to Roxy. You will not object to receive at my hands what is thus so justly due to you 2” Mr. Lee took out his pocket-book as he~spoke, and the mother replied : “T know not how to answer you.. It is but a disguised charity—kindly disguised, I confess, and could not perma- nently alter our condition. We have given up our home, and shall retire in sorrow to humbler quarters. If it would not wound your generous feelings, sir, 1 must say that I prefer the little independence which health and Rs a enable us to earn.’ ‘‘Right, mother,” said the low voice of Emily. ‘‘But I assure you,” replied Charley, ‘‘that it is nota charity. I actually owe all and far more than I have to offer you to-day to your daughter. Besides, it will perma- nently improve your condition, for it will enable you to re- tain your present home, and to have your loved seen with you.” GComicboo ‘S (ee)