The Illegal Marriage — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE 77 “Does she let that old idiot stand between her and me,” he cried, in rage, as he read this letter, forget- ting that the old man was her father. “He shall not—I’1ll not let an old fool like that stand between me and fortune. Besides, I love her.” And he thought again and again of her: beauty and her worth. “Tt would make a man of me,” he continued; “it would blot out forever my past life. With her wealth—with a girl like that, who could not bea good man.” He was holding the letter in his hand when the door opened, and an old man stalked into the room. It had grown dark as Guerry sat dreaming over Cecy’s letter, and the twilight was fast fading; but even in this dim light the intruder was recognized. “What, Hawks! is that you?” “T shouldn’t be at all surprised if it was, boss. Abner Hawks—that’s me, eh?” “Hawks, why do you come here—why do you bother me again? What do you want of me now?” “Well, boss, I want a little of that fine whisky first, then I want some money.” “Oh, Heaven!” groaned the miserable young man. “It was only the other day that I gave you all I had.” “But you kin get more I reckon. Suppose you try the old game, if you can’t squeeze the old man any more.” “Don’t! don’t! Hawks, you speak too loud. Tl do all I can for you, but I can’t raise——” “Oh, fudge! yes, youcan. Take a nip with me?” “How dare you come here to bully me in this comicbooks co