At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

AT A GIRI’S MERCY, 207 her proud inclination of the graceful head. ‘You did perfectly right in that. I was pretty sure a Courtland could not take such a gift. The squire, as you say, would not wish it. You have his spirit.’ There is much I would do for him and you. We will do eae we can to.save your father. I shall send——”’ , The orderly entered with a word of excuse for the interruption. ‘“Pardon me, general. Surgeon McAllister sent this note to Miss Courtland by messenger, with orders to give it to her at once.’’ There was a frown on the general’s brow as the — young orderly, bowing, handed the missive to Nan, and withdrew silently as he had come. Such intru- sion was against his orders, unless there were per- emptory demand. But the face of this proud woman before him, glancing at it, softened instantly any anger he felt toward- the young man on his staff. The haughty pallor had fled, and in its place was the flushing of new life and the gladness that made the sweet face like a charm to heal the hurt of those wounded fellows in her care. A smile was dawning around the lips that had been so drawn with self re- pression but a moment before. She shook back the tumbled curls from her forehead with her old child- ish manner, and there was the faint ripple of laugh- ter across her lips that proved how sweet the sound might be. The man before her, one of the bravest generals of the time, was used to nearly every phase of hardship and pathos, but even he, who had more ~ than once signed a death warrant without a quiver ~ of an eyelash, felt a sudden moisture on his cheek at ~ the sound of this girl’s sweet laughter, faint though it was, and the thought came of how bitter the war really was to so change a sunny nature. She came quickly up to him. What if he were one of the greatest generals of the day? What if he were able _ to frown down her gladness? The paper in her hand held out so eagerly toward him gave the touch that must soften even the harshest word. ‘Read it,’? she said, sweetly, the blue eyes alight ‘with happiness. ‘‘You will be glad as I to know it, (E(0) =) icbooks.co b | > at —m af a ;