Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

04 TWO IS COMPANY, BUT THREE IS A CROWD. ton left No. 6 Laurel place in a mood that would have troubled his most intimate friend to analzye. Whatever plans he had previously considered with the view of the present emergency he now proceeded to carry out. His position was desperate, since the selfish am- bition that dominated his life, permitted of no half measures. | The ruin of a pure, true woman he regarded merely as an indiscretion—one of those unavoidable foibles of a man of the world—which he was. It was not his first crime against society; but it was the first that had reacted so unpleasantly ae himself. He had struck a snag. Therefore there was only one course open to him. It must be removed. Money is a potent factor in the affairs of this world. It is the Archimedian lever of the universe. And Captain Trafton knew its value. He had money, though not all_his heart craved. Were he successful in winning Miss McVane, his position, though tenable at present, would be assured. As the son-in-law of the distinguished Southern politician, his social standing would be stamped with the “‘hall-mark”’ of the higher circles. f His character would receive a permanent gloss, and he could review with Soe aise the piccadilloes of the past. Thus his master, the Devil poured flattering unc- tion on his victim’s soul, while he forged fresh chains for his undoing. Captain Trafton went straight to the ‘‘Moultrie _ House,’’ a private hotel in the semi-fashionable su- burbs, whither he had sent a note earlier ; in the day, apprising a certain boon companion of his intended visit. He was shown up to his friend’s room, a found a Comicbooks.co