Beadle's Dime Novels No. 20: Florida; or, The Iron Will — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

88 FLORIDA; OR, THE [RON WILL. “ death had struck her. Yes, he was going; she saw it in that unearthly luster—she saw it in the burning hectic; she clnng to him—in tears, now, in wild, unbounded distress. “You shall take me with you, my husband! Parker, dont leave me—you are all, every thing to me now; I shall die if you go without me.” “ Virginia,” he cried, brokenly. “Yes, Parker, your home shall be mine, no matter how humble; if a garret, I shall share it with you. Your claim stands first; I am nearer to you than any other, before God. My mother will be cared for; she will mourn a little while, and then forget me. Besides, she will see me, sometimes; Florida would let me come to my own mother, cold-hearted as she is.” As Virginia haat this passionate entreaty, there was a stealthy footfall near by, which she heard not. Florida, im- pelled by an irresistible curiosity (to give the action its best interpretation) had stolen from the refreshment-room, and now stood concealed where she could hear much that was said. “ Virginia—no—not yet,’ he said, in a broken voice ; “J — am not able,” he groaned, as if the confession were force from him; “perhaps, as you have said, in a few weeks, eves days, better times may come ; let us wait, darling.” Virginia had moved from his shoulder. She was pale b- tearless. “Well, Parker, I wil wait, since you decide that it is be . but remember, it will be only fora little while. And, if you, ill, promise you will send for me, Parker. Will you?” “Yes, Virginia—but it will be only to say a final farewell. he added, under his breath. There was a stir; the people were coming from supper. Virginia quietly led the way into a room that was little frequented. “Sit down and rest,” she said; “you have been standing too long, and I too thoughtlessly ‘allowed i” He sunk down with a sigh of relief upon one of the —s go couches, Virginia stole away and returned with some perfumed lotion, with which she bathed his brow ; then again, she playfully bade him sleep for a moment till she should return. A delicious sense of rest pervaded bis whole a ConmicoOoks.CGomn