Under His Thumb — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB. 45 the dainty color that came and went in her cheeks; by the resolute glances of her dusky eyes. You’re a stunning fine girl, anyhow!” the young man exclaimed, involuntarily. ‘Tt donot like your compliments, Mr. Blain, and I wish you to go away and leave me.’’ ‘‘But ’m really your friend, Stella. I won’t say such things if you don’t fancy them, but I’m bound to stand by you anyhow, and if anybody tries to abuse you I—I’ll settle with him. Mund that, Stella —I’ll stick by you!?’’ This was plainly spoken under a good: PnpUIRG prompted by genuine admiration. The words had scarcely passed his lips, however, when he felt a hand clutch his collar from behind, and he was pushed at a rapid pace along the pas- sage. He tried to turn his head to see his assailant; but in vain. He only obtained a glimpse of a figure not so tall as himself. He: uttered a flood of threats and profanity. He kicked and squirmed with desperate fury. But, struggle as he might, he was pushed forward so rapidly that he could scarcely keep on his feet. Nor did the one who was handling him so much as deign a verbal response to his ejaculations. He saw Steve Lawton run ahead and open a door. The next moment he was thrust forcibly across the threshold, the door was closed and locked behind him, and he realized that he must postpone the at- tempt at reconciliation with Stella to a more favor- . able occasion. No one witnessed this maneuver with greater as- tonishment than did the girl. In another moment she was confronted by Croly, €o €s) (E(oy payicel exeyxe)