The Argosy — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

Edina. 93 piece, watched the man put it down; he stayed to set two or three things in order on the table before he went out again. As the door closed, Frank’s glance chanced to stray to Charley’s face. What was the matter with it? ‘The eager flush of hope had been succeeded by a look of dismay: nay, almost of horror. The letter seemed to be very short. Charley was reading it twice over, growing paler all the while. “Can it be a hoax?” he cried, in a voice scarcely raised above a whisper, as he held the letter out. ‘It cannot be true.” Frank took the letter. There was no help for it. But a spasm seized on his own face, and a very terrible spasm seized upon his heart. When we are nourishing some great dread, any new and unex- plained event seems to bear upon it. His fears had flown back to that dreadful night at Trennach. But the letter proved not to be connected with that. The news it brought was of a nature perfectly open and tangible. Frank’s own fears gave place to consternation and dismay as he read the lawyer's words: dismay for his uncle’s sake. “My dear sir, “T have just heard a very painful rumour, and I think it my duty to communicate it to you. It is said that the will, under which you suc- ceeded to Mrs, Atkinson’s estate, proves to have been worthless; a fresh will having been discovered. By this later will, it is Mr. George Atkinson who inherits Eagles’ Nest. My information is, I fear, authentic ; but I do not yet know particulars. “ This is but a brief note to convey such tidings, but the evening post is on the point of going out, and I do not wish to lose it. I would have run down, instead of writing, but am not equal to it, having tor the past week or two been confined to the house. ‘ Believe me, dear sir, “Sincerely yours, “ Major Raynor. “JOHN STREET.” They stood looking at one another, Charles and Frank, with ques- tioning eyes and dismayed faces. Could it be true? No, surely it could not be. Street the lawyer, in spite of the boasted authenticity of his information, must have been misinformed. So thought, so spoke Charles. ‘ You see,” cried he, “he speaks of it at first as but a rumour.” But Frank, in spite of his sanguine nature, regarded the information differently. He began looking at portions of the letter again, and did not answer. “Can’t you speak, Frank ?” “Charley, I fear it is true. Street would never have written this dismal news to your father while there was any doubt aboutit””)<) comlicbooks.comr