Beadle's Dime Novels No. 20: Florida; or, The Iron Will — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

62 FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL the great city on the morrov,, to see faces that she had never seen before—cold, uncaring faces—to hear with her the weight of Parker’s woe, and have none to tell the story of her grief to—for confidence in Florida was simply impossible. “She will try to keep me from him,” was her next bitter thought. “There I shall be more completely under her rule, and yet I can not help myself, for I dare not leave my mother.” This tumult of the mind fitted her in nowise for the recep- tion of company. They came, little suspecting how heavy was the heart under that quiet, unsmiling exterior. “Seems to me Jenny’s growing slim,” said one and another whose vision was keener than the rest, and the young girls invited found her poor society. As the hours lagged on, Vir- ginia was on the look-out for Parker. Florida seemed to take pleasure in commenting on his absence, and more than once brought an angry color to her cheek. The supper-table was set with exceeding good taste. As Virginia once said, it seemed as if it had been laid to have its portrait taken. Snow- white and ancient was the linen-coyer, and the old silver shone again. Virgtnia still looked for Parker, and yet she was disappointed; he did not make his appearance til] it was nearly time to light the lamps. O! that haggard face! Virginia felt the burning tears start to her eyes as she met it. She strove hard for composure, but her hand was hot and trembled in his; he felt it. His beauty seemed unearthly. It was nothing sentimental, nothing womanly, for the bold contour and the resolute expression were there; but suffering had stamped it with a delicacy and pureness that seemed some way dinreal. At times the fitful red dashed his cheeks, setting his eyes in a blaze—at times his face was colorless as the pale alabaster, and almost as trans- parent. He found a chance for afew moments’ chat with Vircini “QO! Parker!” was all she could say, “ Well, darling, don’t think of it. Since I am here with you, the old happiness comes back. I feel as if it would all be made right, some time. Let us hope anj wait. O! Vir- ginia, you are dressed exactly a8 you were the night we were married.” comic soolks.conn