Beadle's Dime Novels No. 20: Florida; or, The Iron Will — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

LEAVING, THE OLD COTTAGE. si. it!” exclaimed Virginia, half rising; “don’t say you. meant that we should leave our dear home and go over to that Wilderness.” | " “You are alittle fool,’ exclaimed Florida, turning fiercely rounsl, now. pinning the great meshes of hair against the back of her head; but, as she stood there, it seemed as if she repented of her harshness. Her eye grew softer, her lip lost its curl, and she seemed. irresolute whether to soothe or reproach her. @’ irginia, lying there, seemed so infantile, so helpless—her white arms folded and her, face hidden upon them—her linen night-robe. swaying $0 delicately to the rounded shoulders and lithe waist, sobs shaking her whole “ Hear to reason, child,” said Florida, more softly ; “ what are you grieving about? Look here-I will tell you something if you will listen. You are beautiful—you have no idea how beautiful you are. I am not repulsive, notwithstanding”— she seemed to think better than to speak what was upper- most, so she paused a moment, while Virginia grew more quiet. “I, too, am what some call beautiful, though in & different way from you. Do you—did you, ever think what beauty may command ?” ; “JT don’t understand,” replied Virginia, who had raised her head, and while tear-drops like big white pearls stood under her lashes, regarded her half-sister with a curious though Piteous look. “You poor little goose! Why, wealth, child, unbounded Wealth—character, influence, every thing. There are men in the city who would lay a fortune of millions at your feet for the sake of calling you wife.” “ Don’t sell me,” sobbed Virginia, with an appealing look “don’t talk to me of such things. I don’t want wealth—I don’t want influence; but, oh! to give up Kennie, dear old Kennie !” | “Pshaw! what’s the use of wasting my words!” cried Florida, rising from the side of the little couch. " “ And mother! how will she, how can she live in the close City ?” cried Virginia. You know very well how she talks,” said Florida, in her usually cold, contemptuous tones. “ She is longing al] the time - Conmiclnooks.comnn E-