The Yankee Champion — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

THE YANKEE CHAMPION, 175 CHAPTER XXI. ‘THE LAST LINK IS BROKEN.” Simon Goodhue did return before dinner-time, and | when he entered the house his face looked strangely. There was a mixture of hope and fear, of doubt and anxiety, upon his features, and for a long time after . he took a seat he remained in deep meditation. At length he arose and beckoned for Luke to follow him, and the two went forth to the barn, where they remained for some time. “Mr. Goodhue,”’ said Walter, as he drew the cld Quaker one side after dinner, “‘you must pardon me if [seem over-curious, but yet I cannot avoid ask- ing youif Gideon and Helen Ryan have any inter- est in the business you have been upon this fore- noon?’’ “Verily they have, friend Nixon.”’ ‘*May I not ask the nature of it?’’ “Thee may ask, certainly ; but I would rather not answer thee now.’ “You Know not the deep interest I take in theve welfare, friend Goodhue.’’ “Yes, 1 do, young man, for I heard Helen, only a few minutes ago, telling to her brother what thee had been saying to her. There, thee need not look troubled, friend Nixon, for thee has a noble heart, and thee has shown it in thine offer to that sweet girl.”’ “Then if you know all, you cannot refuse to tell me of what may tend to the benefit of those two beings. ”’ “Of course I cannot; but I can bid thee wait. I Eomicbooks nN (ele)