Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

18 | OCTAVIA'S PRIDE. curse it. I am sick enough thinking about it, without | gossiping over it like an old woman,” he muttered, queru- lously, plaiting the linen sheet in his thin, blue fingers. Mrs. Willis opened her eyes a little. General Wainwright had never forgotten himself quite so much before, as to give her a hint of the cause of his mental disquiet. She had heard something about a law suit just entered in the courts, ‘‘ Middleton vs. Wainwright,” but being a stranger in that part of the country, she had not interested herself enough to inquire into the case. She said to herself when the general’s valet came to relieve her for the night, she would ask the housekeeper for an explana-- tion. Just then there came to the chamber the sound of wheels crunching along the graveled avenue. ~ * Octavia has come!” cried out the invalid, in an eager, brightened tone. — ‘Send her to me at once.” Mrs. Willis gave the order through the speaking-tube, and came back to the bedside. ‘« Another light, Willis,” continued the general, in a still more animated voice. ‘‘ Have it bright and pleasent as possible when Miss Wainwright comes here. Remember this is an order, not for this time alone, but for that when I can no longer give directions, if such should ever be the case. Always have it as cheerful as possible when my beau- tiful Octavia comes to see her sick father. Bring in those flowers from the dressing-room, and see if my hair is tum- bled.” You would have almost fancied by the eagerness of his looks that it was a lady-love instead of his daughter who was coming to see him. A warm smile kindled on the hag- gard face as he heard the light but firm step crossing the corridor. He stretched out both hands as the door swung open, and Miss Wainwright, with a step which was queenly comicbool cS.