Adrift in New York: Tom and Florence Braving the World

Tom and Florence Braving the World
By HORATIO ALGER, JR. Author of “Mark Mason’s Victory,” “Ben Bruce,” “Bernard Brook’s Adventures,” “A Debt of Honor,” etc., etc.
A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS NEW YORK 1900
ADRIFT IN NEW YORK.
“Uncle, you are not looking well to-night.”
“I’m not well, Florence. I sometimes doubt if I shall ever be any better.”
“Surely, uncle, you cannot mean——”
“Yes, my child, I have reason to believe that I am nearing the end.”
“I cannot bear to hear you speak so, uncle,” said Florence Linden, in irrepressible agitation. “You are not an old man. You are but fifty-four.”
“True, Florence, but it is not years only that make a man old. Two great sorrows have embittered my life. First, the death of my dearly beloved wife, and next, the loss of my boy, Harvey.”
“It is long since I have heard you refer to my cousin’s loss. I thought you had become reconciled—no, I do not mean that,—I thought your regret might be less poignant.”
“I have not permitted myself to speak of it, but I have never ceased to think of it day and night.”