The Illegal Marriage — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

24 THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. Hastily writing the notes, two boys were sent off on these errands. Breakfast was ordered and the negroes sent to the kitchen. Aleck lingered behind the rest. “Well?” Stannard interrogated. “Here’s your blankets, marster,” the boy said, ex- tending them. For the first time Stannard remembered that he wore the boy’s coat, and promptly took it off. “Thank you, Aleck; you did me a service.” Aleck took the coat, but still held out the blankets. “Keep them; keep them, Aleck. You shall have them for being so thoughtful and kind. You see one loses nothing by being so, Aleck.” A look of pride passed over the boy’s face, but he appeared to leave reluctantly. Stannard was lost in thought, and stood stroking his mustache when the boy again spoke. “Mars’ William, I’d ruther you wouldn’t give ’m to me for that.” “Tut, tut, Aleck, why not? You earned them fairly. Remember that one never loses by being kind to others.” “T want to be that, marster, eithout losses or gains.” Stannard looked up in surprise. “My boy,” he said, kindly, “you rebuke me justly, and I beg your pardon for uttering an unworthy sentiment. Take the blankets, Aleck, for the lesson you have given me; and if ever you need a friend come to me.” Puzzled a little, anda good deal alarmed at his own boldness, Aleck went out quickly. “Who would have thought he was sucha casuist,” Eomicbooks:.¢o