At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

88 - - AT A GIRD'S MERCY. might be needed—must be needed at such a time. If her mother recovered—and it was almost a con- secration—he would not only cease to hinder, but would help his daughter to carry out this desire of her heart and go to the care of her brother-men, or the assistance of her sister-women, under the shield of her friends’ care, for he had the most perfect confidence in Helen’s ability not only to care for herself and her wounded soldiers, but to keep out of harm’s way at all times. Helen was older than Nan, and knew more of the world and its ways, and he could willingly—almost—let Nan go. Almost, for Nan was his greatest help and comfort, with her cheery face and brave voice giving him the words of encouragement he so needed in this trying time. Dear little Nan, with her golden hair a-flutter, and the color coming and going in the tender, girlish face. Involuntarily he stooped suddenly and took the girl’s face between his hands, lfting it that he might the better search it for tenderness and its most hidden desires. “My little daughter has to take the place of mother and brothers now to the old man,” he said, rather huskily, letting the sweet face go, and lean- ing tiredly back in the chair. ‘It’s a trying world anyway. Nan.’’ “But, after all, it’s a pretty world, papa,’’ Nan said, with her old clear laugh, that rang tenderly upon his weary heart. ‘“‘It’s a pretty, nice, good old world, Papa Courtland, if we only know well — enough how to appreciate it. And it’li not be long that your Nan ’ll have to take all those places for you, for mother will be with us very soon now, I am so sure, and the dear, noisy, big boys will be here to comicbooks.com |: Af ea rae aren ‘ 2. © . t . te ST » Te at?