Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

64 Estella’s Flight. loose about the world like this. How will you : dee hore? Why you'll cross over to New York, and go down to the pier and buy your ticket, and get on board the steamer. That’s what you'll do. The boat leaves at six. You can start this evening.” | ay hank you, sir. And will the steamer take me to Bos- ton ¢ “Not direct. Never mind; I'll fix that. Have you any money ?” “No sir,” blushing hotly; “but I have a gold chain and cross. They were my mother’s. I meant to sell them to pay my way.” “Poor child! Well, don’t talk about it now. Try and go to sleep again. You look fitter for a sick-bed than travel- ing about. I'll see that everything’s right. I have a girl of my own—your age, too, but not half so pretty—and I know how I should feel if she were knocking about like you. Go to sleep, and we’ll send you to Chelsea all right.” The girl obeyed, worn out in body and mind. Her head drooped heavily against the hard back of the wagon, and sleep, the pitiful, took her once more, and folded her in peaceful unconsciousness. The sudden stoppage of the wagon aroused her. She started up, broad awake, and found herself alone in the vehicle. A rough-looking boy held the horse’s head, and they stood outside the door of a public-house. It was past noon, and the day had changed — | while she slept. Dark clouds scudded over the sky, and the damp, rising wind gave promise of speedy rain. “Where is he?’ asked Estella, terrified. “Where has “es sone?” ‘“He’s here, my dear,” replied the cheery voice a the deacon, appearing at the door. “Come, it’s two o’clock, and high time you had some dinner. Get down.” “But I am not hungry, thank you.” “No matter—you will be, and there may be 1 no time to spare when we reach Brooklyn. Get down at once, and take a cup of tea.” He was not to be refused. He assisted her out, and led her into the house, and into a room where a dinner-table was spread, and a woman presiding. . “Now, then,’ said the deacon, “the sooner. yOR. let us have dinner, Mrs. Beers, the better.” Dinner was served immadiately--bestainale and potatoes, | with tea and apple-tart to follow. Estella séareely touched ‘anything; her head thvobbed, her limbs ached—every joint was sore and stiff. She was glad when it was over, and they were back in the wagon. com cl 900ks.com >