The Land Claim — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

THE PURSE OF GOLD. 53 : \ full of gold, which he said was to buy things for you while you was sick. I told him I didn’t want help about providing for you ; but he just the same as said [ had no right to refuse what he gave to you; and so I took it, but I haven’t touched it since. Tl run and get it now,” she said, leaying the room. When Mrs. Wyman returned she poured a heap of shining gold pieces into Alicia’s lap, while she regarded the girl’s sur- prise with real delight. OH ate ve “It is not mine, though,” she said, after gazing on it in si- lence for a moment. I do not know any one who is likely to be able to give meso much money, and there must be some mistake.” -; Naherefite tiie “ Let me look at it,” said Allen; “I am a lawyer, and it’s part of our business to solve mysteries hike these. It is Brit- ish gold, and there is a cypher worked on the purse, under-— neath a coronet ; all of which indicates that the purse and its contents ¢ame from some person of rank and consequence. How do we know but our little girl is a princess in disguise ? It is not the first time the thought has been suggested to my mind. And this stranger, no doubt, had the slipper which fitted our Cinderilla !” pacsht Poownes “It's very eur’us, anyway. But what makes you so pale, child? I guess you're clean tired out,” said ‘the consta- “Oh, no; I am not very tired. When can I begin my school, Mr. Allen ?” asked Alicia, hurriedly, as if to avoid “When you are quite well and strong. ‘Don’t let her begin too soon, Mrs. Wyman. And so you will not use this money? you prefer school-teaching ?” “ Yes, if I prove capable.” ; “ But, don’t you feel at all curious about this other matter? Don’t you feel a presentiment of some remarkable good fortune ?” “ No,” answered Alicia, langhing, though embarrassed. “But I do; that is, I think there must be something in the mysterious conduct of the stranger which has a deeper meaning than simple benevolence. Haven’t you any rich relatives that you know of? Pardon me the question; I 2 comiclooks.conn A