Adrift in New York: Tom and Florence Braving the World

issin

e not looking

I sometimes doubt if I

cle, you ca

reason to believe tha

d Florence Linden, in irrepressible agitation. "

Two great sorrows have embittered my life. First, the death o

loss. I thought you had become reconciled-no, I do not m

peak of it, but I have never ceas

aused sadly,

discharged from my employment. Heaven knows whether he is living or dead, but it is impressed upon my mind that he still lives, it may b

pulsively on her knees

she pleaded. "You know th

, too,

s Waring as he entered the library through the open

irty-five, with shifty, black eyes and thin lips, s

e did not soften. Yet he could moderate his v

of Mr. Linden, while Florence was

a part of Mr. Linden's household,

n; but he received a liberal allowance from his un

arily brought near Florence, who instinctively drew a l

rtis detected it, an

st not forget that I have a nephew and a niece. You are both de

uncle," said Curtis. "It

fourtee

y is long s

I will not, believe it. He still lives, and I live

t one chance in a hundred that my cousin still lives. The grave has closed over hi

rds had a depressing effect upon his mind, but Flore

ave Uncle John the hope that he has so long cheris

n's face b

t possible, Florence

possible, but probable. How old w

y a year older

lways think of hi

elvet suit, as he was when I last saw him, with his sweet

boy, perchance serving his time at Blackwell's Island, and, a hardened youn

said his uncle, in a voice of ang

d not care to recognize him, why not cease t

ou no heart?" demanded

now," said Curtis, sinking his vo

, coldly, rising from her recumbent p

is to find favor in your eyes. Uncle, you

is my hope that you may be united. In that case, there will

g an emotion which he did not feel, "believe me, that I fully

in, coldly. "My uncle needs no assurance from m

eemed absorbe

aking you my joint heirs in the event of your marriage; but it is o

at likely to create unnecessary trouble?

will hold the pr

ified in your wil

o you and Florence. By the second and later, it goes to my lost boy in the event of his recover

of the property would affect me little, if you could be made happy by realizing your warmest desire; but, uncle, I th

If I were thoroughly convinced of it, I would destroy the late

, impulsively, "make no ch

e's view, darted a glance of b

uttered to himself. "Mu

inden, wearily. "Curtis, will you ring the bell?

Uncle John," said

rength, my child. I am grow

an help,"

e by his nephew and niece, left the

rence returned

, make it desirable that there should be an understanding between us. Take

lorence declined the proffere

se," she ans

ou be s

terview wil

he point. Uncle John w

be!" said Flor

rtification, for her ton

regret, for, so far as he was capable of lov

, and yet you would disappoint

s cherish

than once on the subject. Feeling that his end is ne

myself," said F

r the hapless lot of a penniless

ed Florence, in an

equest to you is conditional u

lorence, sinking into an ar

is marriage is. I know what you would say: If the property comes to me I could come to your assistance,

ar-sighted not to pe

shall be too wise to turn to you. I am to understand, then,

ted it correc

tate. I shrink from poverty, for I have been rea

se," interjected C

ouse, than become the

y repent that word!" sai

ful, glided from the room to weep bitte