The Land Claim — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

48 THE LAND-CLAEM. Although Allen had neither age nor experience to guide him in this matter, he very easily guessed that the fluttering heart must be coaxed to relieve itself; and seating himself peside her, he took the slender hands between his own, while he uttered cheerful, caressing words, as he would to a petted sister, Young as he was he could not help assuming @ certain superiority, such as the exigencies of the case seemed to “ And so my little girl loves the flowers I sent her?’ he asked, playfully. | . She blushed and trembled so much before she answered, that Allen felt compelled to kiss the little hands to reassure her. : “Oh, Mr. Allen, I love you/ You have been so kind to me always; from the first, that I can not help loving you, very much—as much as if you were my brother !” This declaration was so unexpected, and so entirely unique every way, that the young man felt something of the bashful- ness experienced by young ladies under similar circumstances, mingled with surprise, exultation, and a man’s sense of the impropriety-of it. But, this latter feeling quite vanished when he had time to read the expression of the pure, artless face, “Tam glad you do so,” he replied, with some emotion ; “ for I, too, love you very dearly—better than a sister !” That he bad said “ better than a sister,” did not convey any special meaning to her ears. She was relieved, and satisfied, and when he kissed her hands again more warmly than before, she only smiled, and gazed in his face confidingly as @ child, “ Have you any good news about my father ?” she ventured to ask. : “No news, But I have a word of comfort for your private ear. You must not mention it to any one whomsoeyer. I am quite certain your father will be cleared; and I have my eye on a mam who may be the guilty man. That is all I can tell you; but you can put your faith in it:—I don’t think you will be disappointed.” ; : Alicia: had no. words. for her thanks. The ready tears ran over her cheeks; as she seized his hands and showered kisses COMIC OOKS.CO