The Argosy, Volume XXIV — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

20 Gabriel’s Appointment. heard your parents were very angry with Mr. Martin because they had not been kept on.” ‘So they was, ma’am; but Mr. Martin has been good enough to take me on trial. I hope to do better, please ma’am, now I have made a beginning.” ‘““Tf you Aave made a beginning, I hope so too, but it strikes me I have heard you say so before. You should have let me know you were in service ; I expected you yesterday to sweep the walks.” “Tam sure, ma’am, if it will oblige you, I don’t mind asking my master to let me run up to-morrow and do it.” ‘“Oblige me! Nonsense. You are not the only man in the world who can handle a broom. I should like to know what induced Mr. Martin to engage you without a character.” ‘““'The hope of giving me one, ma’am.” ‘Gh, indeed ! You seem to have your answers wonderfully ready : but that you always had. I wish I could see some good done, as well as talked about.” : + ‘Please, ma’am, here comes my master: he will tell you himself if he has any fault to find. He knows I have not tasted a drop of anything stronger than coffee since I have been in the house, and I feel so much happier, ma’am, that I’ve no temptation to run after , any.” ‘“T am glad to hear it,” was the reply, and as Martin came forward to receive his visitors, they alighted from the carriage. ‘You have not been round to Highlevels, as you promised, sir,” she said, in that winning manner he had found so pleasant before, ‘‘and my granddaughter is quite disappointed. Your good-nature has never been forgotten, by her or me.” _ Martin bowed, and murmured something about being busy. “You are making alterations, I suppose? May I go round the rooms, and look at them? I have not been in this house for a long while, and should be glad to refresh my memory.” It was not merely from kindness to Grace that she said this; she really had some curiosity to see the rooms again; and, declining his attendance, she left them to entertain each other. Martin, observing that Grace was almost too agitated to speak, took her into the dining- room and gave her a chair. ‘Ts anything wrong? Does Miss Kerr want me? ” “No, thank you. It’s a letter I’ve had just now—from Lucy Have you heard anything from Mr. Bruce?” “No; I have been looking out for a letter for some days.” “Then you don’t know that he is gone to Dover?” “Dover! That was a sudden move. What made him leave so soon?” “The fire, I suppose.” ‘What fire ? ” “Some fire there has been in the Mission schoolyard,” said Grace, flurried by his manner, and referring nervously to her letter. comicbooks.com ao Bee