The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

LIVING IT DOWN. 379 a father springs toward his long lost family. They were sadly in want of dusting and arranging, as for a month or two no one had been near them, and altogether Jeffreys had work enough to keep him busy. He was not sorry to be busy. For amid all the happiness and comfort of his new return to life he had many cares on his mind. There was Forrester. He had imagined that if he could only find him, all would be right, the past would be canceled and his bad name would never again trouble him. But as he thought of the helpless cripple, lying there unable to move without assistance, with all his prospects blighted and his very life a burden to him, he began to realize that the past was not canceled, that he had a life’s debt yet to pay and a life’s wrong yet to atone for. But he bravely faced his duty now. Forrester’s letters, which came frequently, certainly did not do much to encourage melancholy reflections. “I?m in clover here,’’ the boy wrote about a week after Jeffreys had gone north. ‘‘ My guardian is a trump—and is never tired of telling me about my father. Do you know I’m to havea pension from a grateful country ? “Here am I writing about myself when I know you are longing to hear about—(turn over leaf and hide your blushes)—the babies! ‘They are tip top. Timothy ever since I got my sword has shown great respect for me, and sits on the pillow while I sketch. By the way, do you recognize inclosed portrait? It’s my first attempt at a face—rather a pleasant face too. ‘“She, by the way, never mentions you, which is an excellent sign; but rather tough on me when I want to talk about you. She occasionally is drawn out to talk about a certain Mr. John at Storr Alley; but, as you know, she only knew about him from hearsay. How’s that boy who got hold of you down in Cumberland? Are he and I to be friends or enemies? Tell him I’m game for either, and give him choice of weapons if the latter. But as long as he lets me see you now and then and treats you well, we may as well be friends. I’m flourishing and awfully in love. Stay away as long as you can; you’re not wanted here. Good by—remember me to that chap. Tim sends his duty; and she, when I mentioned I was writing to you and asked if there was any message, did not hear what I said.—G. F.” There was plenty in this bright letter to give comfort to Jeffreys. He rejoiced humbly in its affectionate tone toward himself, He treasured the portrait. He was gratified at the unenvious references to Percy, and he was relieved at the prospect before his babies. At the end of a month Mr. Rimbolt wrote to say he was coming down to Wildtree and would be glad if they would meet him at Overton. They did so, and found that he was not alone. Mr. Halgrove stepped pleasantly out of the train at the same time, and greeted his quondam ward with characteristic ease. ‘‘ Ah, Jeffreys—here we are again. I’m always meeting you at odd _ places. How fresh everything looks after the rain!’ ‘' Mr. Halgrove is my brother in law, you know, Jeffreys,”’ said Mr. Rim- bolt, in response to his librarian’s blank look of consternation. ‘‘I brought him down, as he wanted to see you and have a talk. If you two would like to walk,’’ added he, ‘‘ Percy and I will drive on and have dinner ready.’’ 5 OMNNICGLOOKS. EO