Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

Presently she espied Mr. Earlescourt coming to- ward them, bearing a pitcher and mugin one hand and a well-filled paper bag im the other. “Good-morning, Mrs. Graham, and you, too, little tot. Are you ready for breakfast?’ he asked, cherily- “Thad not thought of breakfast—indeed, I did not suppose it would be possible to procure anything of the kind here,” the lady returned, smiling; ‘but now you speak of it, I believe I am hungry.” “T have not much to ofter you, my friend,’ Mr. Earlescourt gaid, regretfully. ‘Only a little coffee, with a few crackers and rolls; but they will, at least, serve to appease our hunger until we can do better.” He poured out a cape of steaming coffee, as he spoke, aud passed it to lier. “Please take it yourself,” she pleaded, drawing back; “you have not had any rest—you are pale and worn. You must be cold, too, for you robbed your self of your coat to protect me.” His face kindled at her words. It was very pleas- ant to have her thoughtful for him. “Nay,” he said, gently, “I have already had some, out by the camp-fire where it was made. Drink it, and then we will eat together,” and he forced the Thug into her reluctant hand. It seemed as if she had never before tasted such delicious coffee. She was very thirsty, and drank the whole of it, feeling both strengthened and re- freshed after it, Shethen tried to make ber little charge take some, but she did not like the taste of it, and cried for ‘fa cake.” Ayoll was given to her, and she ate it with the hunery appetite of a growing child. It was a very primitive repast, but a very enjoyable one nevertheless, and they were exceedingly grateful forit. It was a very dear one as well,if Mrs. Graham had but known it, for Adrien Earlescourt had parted with a ten-dollar note to provide it for his charges. Later in the day he took the horse and went back into the city, to see what further provision he could wake for their comfort. He hoped to be able to find some place of refuge for them; but there was not aspotin allthat ravaged resion. Every available room outside the burned district was already crowded to overflowing, and the very best that he could do was to obtaincanickeskecant at's 2 i ae ee ee) ee BN See pe Ge a ee