The Argosy, Volume XXIV — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

Gabriel’s Appointment. 25 Even Gabriel’s letter was for the moment forgotten, while her quick fancy sketched out the design, and ‘‘the Squire’s Vigil ” rose before her complete. If she could but seize that expression, and represent him watching his armour, battered by gallant service, on the eve of the well-deserved accolade —but the vision was dispelled by his looking round again, quietly remarking, ‘One would think you had lived among the gaming-tables. I never but once saw that look in a child’s face, and then it was a boy.” “You must have seen many strange things, and people too, in your time,” said Alice. “Yes,” he said, ‘‘I have: but nothing to what I meet with in books.” ‘‘What a curious sensation it must be, with everything quite fresh to read! [rather envy you, Mr. Martin.” His good-humoured bow and smile suddenly reminded her that she was, perhaps, assuming too much intimacy, considering that he was Mr. Bruce’s servant, and she hid her confusion by returning to the letter. Grace, in consideration for her personal anxiety, was per- mitted to know the contents, as she had been longing to do all the while, and by comparing the several parts of the correspondence together, a general idea of the facts became clear to all threes Gabriel Bruce had retired early to rest ; and, finding Joel had not returned from his walk, had thrown himself, half-undressed, on his bed, and fallen asleep, leaving his window partly open-—a habit of which Miss Thirza had tried to cure him in vain. From a troubled dream of camp life and forest wandering, and contending with a fire that was smothering him with smoke, he awoke to find the room filled with the smell of burning wood, and a man’s hand laid on his chest. There was light enough still in the grate to show that he wore a fire- man’s helmet, though his features could hardly be distinguished ; and as Gabriel attempted to rise, and asked what was the matter, a deep, forced voice assured him it was all right—there was a fire, but he was not to be frightened—he and his mate would get him out by the window. The mate was looking in as he spoke, and the shouting in the street below confirmed his words. Gabriel thought directly of the others—and peremptorily desired that he might be left to take care of himself, while they ran to help the women and children. ‘“We must obey orders,” was the only reply, and in a moment the blanket was flung round his person, and strapped down with a leather belt, so as to pinion his arms. It was done before the startled convalescent, whose pulse was still fluttering from his. being so suddenly aroused, had time to think, or to utter a sound. ‘“Now then, Captain,” hissed a voice in his ear, “no harm is meant you, and none will be done, if you are quiet ; but I want that trinket you wear round your neck, and I mean to have it this time.” He had a strong pair of pincers in his hand, and was fumbling at Bruce’s throat; but, to his evident exasperation, no chain was there. Unknown to anyone, Edith had implored him to trust her comicbooks.com