The Land Claim — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER IX. THE SACRIFICE. Wuewn Alicia awakened next morning she found Mrs. Wyman standing beside her bed. “ You sleep late, this morn- ing,” she said. “I guess you exerted yourself almost too much yesterday ; but you would have been up bright and early if you had a-dreamed what good news I’ve got for you.” ' “Ts my father at liberty ?” asked the girl, eagerly ; and con- quering her languor at once, she sat up in bed for the import- ant news. “No, my dear; I thought you would just guess that. But he has sent word that he wishes to see you this morning, and I knew you would be so glad, that I couldn’t wait for you to get your nap out. Why, you don’t seem half so pleased as I expected you would!” “ Oh yes, dear Mrs. Wyman, I am very glad indeed; and I thank you for waking me. I will be dressed in ten minutes ; but don’t wait breakfast for me.” “La, child! we had breakfast an hour ago, and Silas has gone up town; but I've got something warm for you, when you're ready for it.” When Alicia came out to breakfast she found a little basket of fresh raspberries beside her plate, labeled “ To my charm- ing ward.” “ Mr. Mauvais’ boy said his master would be here with the carriage at nine o’clock to take you to see your father. But what is the matter with you, child? You don’t eat a bit of any thing. Ain’t you going to taste these berries ?—they look _ splendid, and were picked this morning, I'm syre.” “Thank you, I do not care for them. I will breakfast on your delicious coffee, which is just to my liking, always.” “Dear me! I do believe my good news has taken away your appetite ; and I thought it would be just contrary to that. Isn’t there something you can eat, dear?—'cause if there is, you needn’t be afraid to mention it. I don’t think any thing of the trouble, if you would only relish any thing better.” Comiclbooks.corn