Under His Thumb — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB. 43 get a chance, except when all the other girls were ’round. What makes you so shy of me, Stella? Haven’t I always treated you well?” The young man was sadly under the influence of hiquor—so much was evident at a glance. Yet he seemed to be deeply in earnest. Although he firmly clung to the girl’s wrist, he otherwise ad- dressed himself as respectfully as his condition would permit. ‘You know why I avoid you, Clarence Blain,’’ she replied. She had ceased struggling, and stood flushed and breathless before him. “You think I ain’t in earnest, I s’pose,’’ he ques- tioned, in his drawling tones. ‘‘You are an idle, dissipated fellow, and no decent girl could respect you,’’ was the sharp retort. “That so? I declare, Stella, you don’t pick your words, do you? But never mind—I like you better for being blunt. Drink more’n is good for me, I ad- mit. But you could reform me if you’d try. You’re pretty and good, and bright as a button, Stella. I’d make you my wife in a minute if you’d only consent, . and I’d dress you better’n any woman in New York —I would, by Jupiter !”’ Again the girl attempted to release her arm, but Fin vain. Then, quick as a flash, she struck her persecutor ~ a stinging blow upon his cheek with her free hand. He recoiled with an ejaculation of pain, at the same time involuntarily releasing his grasp upon her wrist. Before he could recover it she darted away from him, fleeing along the passage. But her liberty was of brief duration. She at- Eomicbooks.com ©