Beadle's Dime Novels No. 20: Florida; or, The Iron Will — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

46 FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL. “Florida may go to—Florida,” he retorted, with merry impitience. “Have you a butterfly’s joint that you could broil in a minute or two? I feel hungry.” “ Poor fellow !—but then it’s your own fault. You'll have to fast mow, unless I can get you a glass of milk and a wafer.” “No, no—I was only jesting. By the way, what book was that I saw you buried in—or rather that I saw Florida buried in, and you skimmed over? You did not look particularly pleased with it.” “It is nothing I care about or understand,” replied Virginia. “Some work on some science, about magnetism and metals, I believe.” ““ Magnetism—hem !” he said, smiling to himself “She's a tremendous magnet, of one kind. I shouldn't want her to hate me very much, or love ditto.” “Hush! for mercy’s sake, don’t let her hear yon. Are you aware that it is getting late, my young friend, and that at such an hour the schoolmaster should not be abroad ?” Be “The schoolmaster will not be abroad much longer,” said Parker, catching her hand and holding it to his lips) “ Wait a day or two, and I'll carry you off in triumph ; then see you dare say saucy words to me when I agi your lo master.” | _ “Virginia !” was heard from the top of the stairs, “ is there _ @ window open ?” > Pm just closing it, Florida,” said Virginia, hardly able to speak for Jaughing at the pantomimic gestures of Parker out- side, and yet feeling a sort of half-guilty terror, mingled with admiration of the face now fading into the darkness. _ “The draught was terrible,” said Florida, as Virginia made her appearance. “Why in the world did you want the window open now ? Were you moon-gazing ?” “T didn’t know there was a moon,” said Virginia, pansing aghast, as she saw her half-sister on her knees befi re a great | camphor-chest, unrolling bundles of old papers that looked as if they had never seen daylight, and very rarely any other. ‘Why, what are you doing ?” ° “ Looking for some documents of importance,” said Florida, ao Boek =o Eten ~ 8 derbon tig ab sha going to get every thing ready for my journey to-morrow, for T mnst start at six” el CoOnmicloOokxs.COnny 5