The Argosy — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

Edina. o1 “Cared for him, mamma!” she returned in her spirit of bravado. “T am well rid of him.” Mrs. Raynor sighed. Alice had so changed : not, she feared, for the better. So had Charles. Good fortune had ruined them all, CHAPTER XXIII STARTLING TIDINGS, THE first of June. A day destined to be an eventful one at Eagles’ Nest. At five o’clock in the morning the house was aroused from its peaceful slumbers by a commotion. Mrs. Raynor's bell was ringing violently ; Mrs. Raynor's voice was calling for help in loud and anxious tones. Major Raynor had been taken ill. Frank was the first at the bed side. His uncle lay unconscious, or partly so, exhibiting alarming symptoms. An attack of some kind seemed imminent ; Frank thought it would be apoplexy. Other advice was sent for. Long before the usual hour for breakfast, breakfast had been taken, and the family hardly knew what to do with themselves. Dr. Selfe, a clever man, residing near, had seen Major Raynor—who now seemed to be somewhat better. The doctor quite agreed with Frank that the symptoms were indicative of apoplexy ; but he thought that it might be staved off, at least for the present, by the aid of powerful remedies. These remedies had been applied, and the patient was decidedly im- proving. He did not speak much, but was quite conscious. On these occasions, when one out of the home circle is lying upstairs in sudden and most dangerous illness, the house is utterly unsettled. Habits and customs are changed; nobddy knows what to be at. “T shall have some more coffee,” said Charles, ringing the bell. “ There’s nothing else to do.” Lamb came in and received the order—some hot coffee. The break- fast things were still on the table. This was one of the pleasantest rooms in the house: small and cosy, with glass doors opening to the garden. It faced the west, so was free from the morning sun: but, be- yond the shade cast by the house, that sun shone brightly on the smooth green grass, on the clustering flowers of many colours. The chairs, curtains, and carpet of the room were purple. Mrs. Raynor's | little work-table stood in one nook, opposite to it was a low open book- case. The chimney-piece was low and modern, its hearth was filled with ferns, its large glass reflected the room and its furniture. Frank, standing close, could see in it the breakfast table and its contents, with the stand of fresh flowers in the middle. While waiting for the coffee, which had to be made, Charles leaned against the side of the window, half indoors, half out, whistling’ softly comicbooks:-com