Beadle's Dime Novels No. 3: Myra, the Child of Adoption — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

AN IMPUSTOR. 69 « And whom have you had to visit you since I went away, Myra? What new conquest have you made? Tell me all about it, child,” said Mr. D., smiling, as he received the coffee- cup of Sevres china from the hands of his wife. : Myra laughed—a clear, ringing laugh, that had more of hearty glee in it than any thing you ever heard. “ Oh, we have had crowds of visitors, gallants without num- ber. Ladies like a swarm of humming-birds, and—and—oh, yes; we had one very singular and romantic person, a name- sake and intimate friend of yours, papa. I wrote you about him, but you never mentioned him at all in your reply.” “Oh, yes; I remember,” said Mr. D.; “a grave, gentle- manly old man, with just gray hairs enough to make him in- teresting, and the most winning manners. He carried a little Bible with a gold clasp in his bosom—I remember the de- scription well. What of him, Myra? You lost your heart, of that the letter told me ;—but who was this mysterious per- son? Pray, enlighten me.” Myra and her mother exchanged glances. <A faint crimson broke over the elder lady’s face, and the young girl looked a little puzzled. “Why, papa, how strangely you talk. This gentleman knows you well; he is a member of the legislature, and his seat is close by yours in the house,” said Myra. “Nonsense, child; there is but one man of my name in the house, and he has not been absent from Harrisburg a day dur- ing thé session; besides, he has not a white hair in his head, and never carries small Bibles with gold clasps to exhibit to young ladies. You have had some impostor here. What did the interesting gentleman want ?” “He had lost a portmanteau that contained his money and clothes,” faltered Myra. “ All but the little Bible!” cried her father with a laugh. “ And so,” continued the young girl, blushing, “as he was a friend of yours and out of money, he only desired mamma to advance him a small sum.” “And she did it—I'll be sworn she did it!” cried Mr. D., enjoying the blushes of his wife. “The scoundrel carried off - my wife’s purse and my daughter’s heart at one fell swoop.” “Tt was not much, only twenty-four dollars,” said the lady struggling to be against her husband’s raillerv. 55: ago tia comiclooolkks.conn