The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 171: what you’re looking at

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

LIVING IT DOWN. : 71 “T think, Raby, if, instead of taking his part in all this, you had some consideration for those who have acted for the best, and for your sake as well as for others, it would be more seemly.’’ | ‘“ Auntie, I have no idea of not being grateful to you, or taking any- body’s part against you. But I am sorry for Percy’s unhappiness. ’’ ‘““T fear, Raby, your sympathy is not all given to Percy. But if any of it is given to Mr. Jeffreys, you had better know at once that the reason why he has been dismissed is that he is a criminal, who came here under false pre- tenses, with the most dreadful of all stains on his character.’’ Raby looked up at her aunt with something like the ghost of a smile on her lips. ‘‘T don’t believe that, auntie,’’ said she. ‘‘ I could never believe it.’’ ‘Then,’’ said her aunt, stiffening up wrathfully, ‘‘ we need not discuss the matter.’’ . Percy came down presently, haggard and volcanic. He plunged at once into the subject. ‘‘ Mother, I want to know why Jeff was sent away.”’ Mrs. Rimbolt replied pretty much in the words in which she had explained the matter to Raby. Percy undutifully laughed the words to scorn. ‘‘ Who told you that ?’’ he asked. _ I should hardly have sent him away unless I had been satisfied there was no doubt at all in the matter.”’ 3 ‘But who told you ? and what was it he did ?”’ ‘“My dear boy, you forget you are talking to your mother. You speak as if I were trying to deceive or wrong you. What has been done has been done for your sake; and you must-be content to believe that there has been a good reason.’’ ‘‘T don’t believe Jeff’s a cad, that’s all I can say. It’s either a mistake or some one has been télling lies about him.’’ ‘“Now, Percy dear, try to be reasonable. Forget all about it. Are you not going for a ride this morning? The fresh air will be good for you.”’ ‘‘T don’t mean to get on Bendigo’s back again till Jeff comes back,’’ said said he, miserably. ‘‘ Father may sell the beast ; I hate him.”’ It was evidently no good arguing further ; and the household settled down to a three cornered sulking match till Mr. Rimbolt arrived. He, though he concealed his feelings better, was perhaps the most morti- fied of all at the misadventure which during his absence had turned Jeffreys adrift beyond recall. He had known his secretary’s secret, and had held it sacred even from his wife. And watching Jeffreys’ struggle to live down his bad name, he had grown to respect and even admire him, and to feel a personal interest in the ultimate success of his effort. Now, a miserable accident, which, had he been at home he could have prevented by a word, had wrecked the work and the hopes of years, and put beyond Mr. Rimbolt’s power all further chance of helping it on. It was easy to guess what a reaction would take place in Jeffreys himself. Mr. Rimbolt knew his man well enough to be sure that the last thing he CoOMmMiclaoolks G | =)