Guy Hammersley; or, Clearing his Name — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

46 GUY HAMMERSLEY. been his imagination. His nerves, poor fellow, had been so tried that day ! After a few more inquiries regarding what action, if any, Mrs. Hammersley intended to take regarding a suit for damages against the express company, Colonel Starr gave a preparatory cough and pro- ceeded at once to business. ‘‘T trust, Mrs. Hammersley,” he began, ‘‘ you wili not think lam presuming on a short acquaintance, if I now broach a subject which is very near my heart.” ‘‘Great Scott! "thought Guy. ‘‘Isthe man going to propose? ” ‘‘ May I be permitted to inquire,” the colonel went on, ‘‘ if you are irrevocably bound to the School of Music ?” ‘‘No, nothing was said about atime limit,” replied Mrs. Hammersley. ‘‘ Youknow Ihad my reputation to make and I might not suit the patrons, so it was left so that either party could dissolve the contract, if I may call it so, at pleasure.” ‘‘Quite right, quite right,” broke out the colonel, looking immensely pleased. ‘‘Then I will not be considered as ‘out of order’ if I ask your considera- tion of another engagement I should like to tender you.” He then went on to state that he had the refusal of the right to pilot the tour of the renowned English girl violinist, Miss Ruth Farleigh. He must close with her on the following day or fail to secure her, and all now depended on getting together a first class company at the shortest possible notice, Ss (€(©) m Gomicboo