Roxy Hastings — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

Race ROXY HASTINGS. “ Here’re a hundred dollars for the major,” he said. Mother and daughter looked in surprise at the money and at each other, and the former smilingly said : “Laura wants a new dress and bonnet, and some other things.” “Here’re a hundred for Laura.” | “Mother wa.ts—wants everything in the way of clothes. She hasn’t got a decent garment,” said Laura, whose words were by no means intended to be construed literally. ‘‘Here are two hundred for mother.” Again the ladies exchanged looks and smiles, and Mrs. Lee returned to the charge. “Your sister ought to have a piano.” “Tet her select one and order it home. She can have the best in the city.” - “Are you in earnest, Charles?” Laura said, grasping his arm and looking close into his eyes. “Never more so.” | “What does it all mean? can you really afford all this?” “Ves. Are there any more wants? Don’t be afraid to speak. I’m in the giving vein now.” — ‘‘A—a watch?” said the sister. ‘You shall have it.” ‘‘And one for mother ?” “Yes. Anything else?” — “TJ really can’t think of anything else now.” “You'll have to give us time to reflect, Charley,” said the mother, laughing. ‘‘But I think we’ll spare you for the present.”’ “T don’t want to be spared. Iam able and willing to give you all that you want—only I wish my secret kept.” ‘*But you have not told us any secret.” “Well, all in good time. There is enough said for the present. You must guess.” i I guess you have been speculating in stocks, and are “rich.” “You are only half right. I have not been speculating in stocks, and yet I am—well, I will not say rich, but we are no longer poor.”’ “'This is a wonderful story, Charles,” said the mother. ‘*But not as wonderful as it is delightful,” replied the laughing sister. ‘“‘Now tell me, Charles, are not you Mr. Incognito ?” 66 I am. 77 _ “There, mother! I guessed it five minutes ago. There is one marvel less, How could you tell such a fib ?” | cComicbooks.com ~