The Dugdale Millions — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

A BURST OF SUNSHINE. 255 ‘sEver since I received your note,’’ he said, ‘*f have been ina state of suspense quite hard to bear. You promised you would explain its meaning, but an opportunity has not presented itself until now.”’ ‘‘T fear I made a mistake in writing that letter,’” re- plied Bessie hesitatingly, as they walked across the lawn. ‘‘It was written upon the impulse of the mo- ment, and I now doubt whether the occasion for its writing ever really existed. I feared at the time you would be subjected to some embarrassment, perhaps humiliation, and I sought to save you from it.’’ ‘‘T thank you for the intent and the kindness which dictated it,’’ replied Dick, “‘but I imagine the cause has not yet passed away.’’ Bessie looked up at him quickly, a slight blush spreading over her face as she said hastily, a note of alarm in her tones: ‘Why, you do not know what it was!”’ ‘‘T think there must be some Yankee blood in my veins,’ laughed Dick lightly, ‘‘I am a good guesser, Your father forbade me the house.’’ His abrupt center shot startled and confused Bessie. She did not reply but walked on, her head bent to the ground, ‘‘T see I have struck the truth,’”’ continued Dick. ‘‘Not quite,’’ said Bessie, in a low voice, ‘‘he did not forbid you the house.”’ “Only threatened to?’’ he asked. ‘‘He did not mean it,’’ admitted Bessie, uncon- scious of the admission. ‘‘He was quite angry at the time. I had made him so, and I think he regretted it as soon as he made the threat. You know that, with- in two or three days after, he especially requested you to come to the house.”’ *‘And you were afraid that I would refuse,’’ laughed Dick; ‘‘but then the request was to a conference and not asa guest. However, we will not discuss it further. Only let me tell you how grateful I am and what assur- ance it gives me to find that whether or not I am tobe Comicbooclk C@ 3