Beadle's Dime Novels No. 35: East and West — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

84 THE BEAUTY OF WILLARD’S MILL. CHAPTER XI. IN THE CITY. THE first days of March were bright and warm in the city. Crowds of gayly-dressed ladies thronged Broadway, where Minnie and her cousin, Charles Lord, had been enjoying a promenade, Yet, though Minnie still fourid enjoyment in the excess of beauty which everywhere met her eyes, something in the influence ofthe spring air, and the sight of spring vio- lets which poor little barefoot children had to sell, made her homesick. She had been growing more and more silent dur- ing the walk home, until, when she was fairly inside the par- lor door of the Stewarts’ elegant residence, her lips quivered, and the hot tears would keep hurrying to her eyes. “Why, what is the matter, little cousin ?’ asked Charles, surprised. “No, do not go—send a servant away with your things—and tell me what is the trouble ;” and he forced her gently into an arm-chair. “JT really do not know, unless I am homesick - “Tired of us so soon, are you, Minnie? What can we do, that we have not done, to make you happy?” “ Oh, nothing, nothing! I have been very happy all winter —too happy—and now I suppose I am suffering the reaction,” said Minnie, trying to smile, but bursting into tears instead. Now everybody knows that a man can not see a preity woman in tears without wanting to say something very tender to her. But there was another fact, which was not known to everybody—connected with this story—which was that Charles Lord had for a lang time been wishing to say something tender to this particular pretty woman, without ever finding a favorable opportunity. 3 “ Dear Minnie, are you unhappy now ?” asked Charles, gently stroking her soft hair as he stood beside her. “I would give my life, and think it a pleasure, darling, to save yeu from all pain and trouble.” “Don’t say that, cousin Charles!” cried Minnie, suddenly drying her tears. comiliclbooks.com