Vashti's Fate — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 49 forbidding. But, courage or no courage, she had resolved to ask Aunt Margery a question, and she would do it. She put her hand upon her aunt’s arm, but the words died on her lips, and the shadowy eyes she lifted to her aunt's face filled with tears. ‘Well, child,” said Miss Gresham, looking down upon the dark, handsome face, with a little less sternness than usual, ‘‘what is it?” Vashti tried to speak, but the words died away as before, and with a burst of low sobs, she leaned against the door- post. : ‘“You wanted to ask me what it was about your papa, didn't you?” said Miss Gresham, with a vein of tenderness running through her cold tones. Vashti nodded, and covered her face with her hands. Miss Gresham shivered a little, as though she was cold, though the day was a warm one, and sinking her voice a little, said ; ‘* Your father was not a murderer, after all. That man—Neil Roque—was not killed. I saw him day before yesterday, and he told me how it was, and all about it. That is all, Vashti.” The child lifted her face, her sensitive spirit in arms, and said, with a tone of haughtiness : “No; it’s not all, Aunt Margery. What was it you " said to mamma that made her so ill? Tellittome It will not make me ill.” “I don't know, it might,” said Miss Gresham, drawing herself up; ‘‘ you've a stormy spirit, Vashti.” “Tell me,” she cried, the tears bursting forth again. “Oh, I'm not angry now; I am only wild to know what you meant,” = ™ ——— > (Efe) mi comicbooks