The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 280: what you’re looking at

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

216 riding by the side of handsome Robert Pomeroy, who was there taking his old mother out driving—the mother who had worked for him and educated him and given him a profession. Well, he was worth it all—if only he did not spoil it by some foolishness, as young men did sometimes. And Mrs. Pomeroy thought of the one girl on whom she had fixed her heart, and sighed. Sultan had already been tested as to his views on trains, so when they heard the whistle afar off they drew up at the opposite side of the station, among the carriages from the summer hotel, and waited. “The women at the hotel are here to meet their husbands,” said Mrs. Pome- roy. “ Dear, dear, it looks like they might stand it in the city as well as their husbands do, an’ them workin’ day in an’ day out in their stuffy ofh- ces—an’ the way the married women carries on is scandalous—you necdn’t tell me! “You reckon I would ever have con- ducted myself that way while your father was livin’ walkin’ an’ talkin’ an’ dancin’ an’ prancin’ with other men at all hours of the night? No, in- deed—I hope I knew my duty better ’n that. There’s Mr. Carret—his wife didn’t come—she’s sent the children an’ the nurse. Now, whatever was the rea- son she didn’t come? She ain’t sick, for I saw her out drivin’ this very mornin’.”’ “Upon my word, mother, you are getting to talk scandal,” said Robert, laughing as he leaned back and flicked the shaft idly. “‘ What can you expect of my morals if you go on that way?” “That’s all right,’ asserted Mrs. Pomeroy warmly. “ Women should re- member their husbands—it’s bad enough for them to be away off here, spendin? money like water, without dancin’ an’ flirtin?’ from mornin’ till night. However, it ain’t none o’ my concern—but I tell ve Tight now, Rob- ert, when you git married, don’t ye send your wife to board at no summer hotel while you go on workin’. “-Tain’t likely Millie Regent would be one to act that way—an’ she’s a mighty nice girl—an’ pretty, too. You might bring her out ridin’, Robert, now C5 OUgle THE ARGOSY. that you’ve got your new rig—you know you always said you was ashamed 0’ that old one.” Robert went on flicking the shaft composedly, but his face reddened. Perhaps he was very willing to find a change of subject, as he did when he discovered that all the carriages had driven away with their laughing, chat- tering loads, and that a young woman was standing alone on the platform, glancing in his direction. ‘No, he didn’t come,” she said with a smile when her eyes met his. Her smile was a very attractive one. Robert sprang down and stood beside her. His hat was in his hand, and he was very pleasant to look upon, as his mother all at once acknowledged to herself with trepidation, while she was frowning portentously at his talking so familiarly with that dancing, prom- enading, flirting Mrs. Lightwood. “Tm so cross about Ed not coming,” said Mrs. Lightwood, pouting childishly and looking uncommonly pretty. “I walked all the way over here—walked, fancy !—so that he and I could have the stroll back through the woods—and now ” ‘“¢T will drive you back to the hotel,” sald Robert eagerly. ‘“ Mother can make room for you, I am sure.” “ Oh, isn’t that lovely?” cried Mrs. Lightwood. “ But I am sure I would crowd your poor mother dreadfully. Maybe she would prefer waiting until you could take me over there and drive back—she could sit in the station until you returned, you know.” Mrs. Lightwood was so sweet and thoughtful that Robert found her quite adorable. | Unfortunately, however, Mrs. Pome- rov proved intractable. _ “TI don’t mind bein’ crowded,” she said dryly. “I reckon [ll jest stay in the buggy.” No, Mrs. Lightwood’s pretty shoul- ders did not shrug under their filmy white covering—Robert must have dreamed it—but he felt ill at ease as he handed her into the carriage. “T’m sure Mrs. Pomeroy must be wretchedly uncomfortable,” Mrs. Lightwood said sweetly. “ Of course I dont mind it—I am used to it—and I ecomiicooolKs (COL