Beadle's Dime Novels No. 20: Florida; or, The Iron Will — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

FLORIDA UNUSUALLY BENEVOLENT 59 cutting short his thanks, “ for we are going at eleven, and are particularly busy now, and shall be all day.” ems The old man took the hint and hobbled off. Virginia still stood in a maze of wonder. “You think I am unusually benevolent, I suppose,” said Florida. “Is it a new element in my character ?” “J was only wondering how you could afford it,” said Virginia, simply. “ Would you like a diamond necklace, or a satin dress ?” asked Florida, with a queer smile. Virginia stopped her work, and again her glances were fastened upon the face of her foster-sister. “ You are afraid I am becoming demented,” said Florida; “I can see it in your eyes.” “ You do act strangely,” responded “Virginia. “ Confess, now, that you always thought me a strange being,” said Florida, with a slight tinge of mirthfulness in her tone. Virginia was silent. Florida smiled, then hurried her | work. The widow was brought down stairs, much to her delight, “ There!” exclaimed Florida, as she arranged the pillows with Virginia, “doesn’t it seem comfortable, mother, to be down stairs again ?” “Tt makes me happy,” murmured the old lady, looking fondly toward Virginia. | “ ] saw just the chair you want,” murmured Florida, stand- a ing off a little way. “Tt was green silk velvet of such a charming shade, and moved with a touch. -I believe I must — buy it for you.” “ No, no—this is good enough,” said the widow. “It was s dear chair, too—twenty dollars Thomas gave for it before the wheels were put on.” “ Dear!’ said Florida, smiling ® little—“ the one I saw . yesterday was cheap at fifty!” . “I wonder where we'd get fifty dollars for an easy-chair murmured the old lady. “No, no; I guess this must do for @ little while longer—and it'll only be a little while. Jenny, darling, has young Mr. Parker been here to-day *” Virginia crimsoned. She thought her mother would not ; : ~ ‘ comiichbooks.com 7