At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

AT A GIRL’S MERCY. 197 “DEAR Lapy:—I have not forgotten you, nor the brave spirit you proved that night at our chance meeting. | have watched you ever since, not so - that you knew I was watching, but-you have been nowhere that I can not tell you of. I knew you were here among the wounded soldiers, and I am not surprised, for a spirit such as yours would of ne- cessity follow such an heroic course. But to return tomy message. This jewel-case of yours will prove to you that I am not cheating you with the sem- blance of untruth. The flowers have been with me through the war, and will be with me when I die, unless you save my life, as I shall tell you presently. Your jewels—well, of what interest is it to you where are your jewels? Your father is to a certain extent in my power. You never dreamed of this! No, of course not. If I send one little word to the commander where he is it would not only save his life, but would set him at liberty immediately. I will prove it to you if you will give mea chance, Go to the general here—he is a kindly. man, I can say, even though I am in his power—and ask of him my life and freedom. You will not? Then your father dies at dawning to-morrow, when I die! I have full proof of this. Try me, and save him if you will. “Believe me, sweetest lady, yours in life or eath——”’ | There was no signature, but Nan cared not at all for that. The man held her father in his power, and would save him if she would save his life. She had — said she would see him die at her feet, and lift no hand of hers for his rescue. True, but she did not know of what she spoke. What would she not do for her father? If it were in her power—ah. she had not stopped to think of that. She had said she would save him, that she would put off not for one instant | longer than necessary going to the general and leading for her father’s sake, for the life of this vil- ain. Butif he should refuse? If he should tell her, as she had just told her friend, that he would not, if he could, lift one finger to save him? Suppose it were the judgment for her own harsh unforgiving? =) co iGbooks: co ee Code ec otal * 4