The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

& 348 UNCLE BENJAMIN’S PAST. The Italian proprietor, startled by his advent, uttered a cry of alarm and then an exclamation of profound astonishment as he recognized his dignified and wealthy neighbor, the coffee merchant, but Uncle Benjamin heeded him not. He paused not an instant for explanation or apology, but dashed through to the front steps, up them to the street, around the corner to the nearest hack stand, and thence had himself swiftly carried home. The amazement of the clerk, when he eventually showed the lady into the vacated office, is not to be described. As for ‘‘ Mrs. Dobley,’’ she seemed more indignant than surprised. That which most overwhelmed the young | man—his employer having been able to climb out of the window and down the rope—did not seem to impress her as remarkable. Her attention was con- centrated upon the fact that he had taken flight rather than meet her. “Tell him,’’ she said, as she turned to go, ‘‘that Mrs, Dobley is not a woman to be treated with such disrespect and will come again.’’ Those last three words she uttered in a very awful tone of voice, as the clerk duly reported to Lawrence when he came in a few minutes later. Larry was almost stunned. So there wasa Mrs. Dobley! A dreadful Mrs. Dobley, whom Uncle Benjamin would risk his neck to avoid. He had a past and nobody had ever suspected it ! Uncle Benjamin’s flight had been instinctive, quite natural—he said to himself—as anybody knowing the circumstances would admit. But he could not goon like that, climbing out of the back window every time that woman raided his office. And she might take it into her head to hunt him up at his home. Aurelia would have to be put upon her guard not to admit her. And Aurelia would probably ask questions. Oh, what a bother it all was! Why not go away to Europe for a year or two? ‘That was worth thinking of. Aurelia Ann was a little alarmed by his coming home at such an unusual hour, but he told her, ‘IT do not feel quite as well as usual ; it is nothing serious, however. All I want is a good rest. I am going up to bed at once and must not be dis- turbed, no matter who comes.”’ < The only person who called to see him during the evening was Law- rence, who was exceedingly anxious to have an interview, but Aunt Aurelia dutifully barred the way. ‘“He did not feel well,’’ she said, ‘‘and has gone to bed, leaving word that he would not see anybody tonight, so there is no use talking. Any business you have must wait until morning.’’ | The young man accepted his dismissal demurely, but went away chuckling internally. : Uncle Benjamin slept badly and arose later than usual. He had put on dressing gown and slippers, left his room to go down to breakfast, and was approaching the head of the stairs when he heard the voice of his sister, from the story below, saying to some one: ‘“ My brother will be down soon. It is past his usual hour, and he a Whatever else she said he could not hear, for she had passed into the Comichooks