Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

Ms OOTAVIA’S PRIDE. Octavia glanced lightly toward the nurse, and went over to the table where she stood, asking in a low voice: ‘“How do you find your patient to- rt Mrs. Willis? Has it been a comfortable day?” ‘«‘Tolerably so, Miss Wainwright; rather restless toward . night, though. I think he had better have an opiate to- night.” | ‘“‘T should judge so. Now you may go out a few mo- ments, giving Philippe his directions for the night. I will | remain with my father until you return.” This was said, not in a haughty or imperious way, but still in a voice that Mrs. Willis would no more have ven- tured to dispute than she would have disobeyed a mandate ’ from the queen. And so the sick-room was left to the father and daughter. Miss Wainwright shook out the folds of her dress, which was made of some glossy gray fabric, turned around the vase of flowers brought to the stand especially for her visit, | and then sank softly into the chair close to the bedside. The sick man watched her uneasily. ‘‘ You have something to say to me, Octavia. Some dis- agreeable thing from those lawyers. Do not be afraid, dar- ling, to speak plainly.” | | ; ‘Well, really, dear papa, I suppose I ought to tell you, but I do not want to disturb your mind. However, Willis says you must have an opiate anyway, and that will calm you shortly if you get excited. My summons this morning came from Screw & Scattergood, and of course concerned this odious law suit.” She paused, glancing questioningly into his face. He bit his lips impatiently, but otherwise kept his composure. ‘* Middleton vs. Wainwright. Yes, concerning ons ac- cursed law suit; go on, Octavia,” muttered he. : ‘< You see they did not like to come to you for advice, - now you are ill, and a new development is disturbing them.” -comicboo cS Col