Beadle's Dime Novels No. 20: Florida; or, The Iron Will — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

118 FLORIDA; OR, THE TRON WILL elegance, these comforts? Never was I so housed before. If T only knew!” The door opened. The nurse, a portly woman, entered with an air of mystery. “TI don’t know whether it’s quite right,” she said, “though T havn’t had any orders. But there’s a lady called, and wishes _ to see Mr. Garret.” —. “A lady!” his cheeks. flushed in aninstant. He half raised himself, then sunk back, exhausted. “There now—it won't do, I see that,” said the nurse, in her severest tone. “O! yes—I'm all right now. I aon you Tl be very calm. “I wonder who it i is ?” ' “The dear knows,” replied’ the nits “She camé in a splendid ¢arriage, but she wouldn’t give her name.” * “QO! if'it # but Virginia,” whispered Parker. “Tell her to come. I’m sure it will make me better, just to see a face I have known.” | ‘The nurse wént out; in le8s than a moment she returned, and following her was Florida. He looked eagerly beyond. His eye brightened as he saw her, but dulled again, as he saw not Virginia. _ “ Parker!” she clita. in @ voice that she tried to make even. “Did Virginia send you ?” he asked. “No ;” her voice grew calm in an instant. “0! Florida—didn’t Virginia send one word—one token ?” “ Virginia knew nothing of my coming.” She touched his pale forehead, she smoothed back the light hair. “Thank you; how soothing that is,” he murmured, dreamily. “ Florida, I’m sure you’re very kind to come—I always thought you disliked me.” “J never disliked you,” said Florida, hoarsely, still eagerly stroking back the soft locks. “But it is not in my nature, per- haps, to show a great deal of tenderness. Your head feels better now, does it not ?” “Ol! a great deal; there seems a magnetic influence in the — motion—it sends a thrill of rest, through me. You are very kind Do you know huw I came here ?” Comic oooks corn j