Arthur's Victory (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1873. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXI. TOM S PROPOSAL. Bright fire was burning in Stevens's little parlour, which, was occupied that same Tuesday evening by Mr. Stevens and Tom. The former stood leaning with his back against the chimney piece, while the latter sat on the table before him, holding in his hand the identical Thorley papers about which Arthur had suffered so much. "It was a lucky thought of yours, Stevens, to put these down to Vincent's score. It saved me from a fine scrape with the governor for this," said Tom, opening the papers, and showing a large piece where the words were almost entirely defaced by ink. "Yes, besides settling a private grudge with Vincent, I have lowered him considerably in Mr. Graham's esteem, or I am much mistaken. But it was well for you, Tom, that no one saw the spilling of that ink but you and me." "Ay. But what are we to do with these?" "Oh, we will destroy them some day: but we'll i keep them here over Thursday. Then we shall get rid of that Vincent. I shall be very glad to see the last of him." "You won't do that yet; for it is my opinion the governor will never send Vincent away. He would be silly if he did; for you know as well as I do, Stevens, that Vincent does more work than you and I put together." "Yes; it is that and his pretended goodness that maddens me so. But I have paid him off a little now." "I have a plan in my head, Stevens. It will do us no good to destroy these things, or keep them here. I know we shall not get rid of Vincent; and it will lose the governor lots of tin if this Thorley case is lost. Suppose we do this: we can easily put these into Vincent's desk. Then it will appear that he has had them all the time, and has been denying it because they were inked. What do you think of that?" "Capital, Tom capital far better t...