The Argosy — page 119: what you’re looking at

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Edina. 107 these good-natured things. I wonder how he found the money? And why in the world did he not tell me he had done it?” So this great trouble was at,an end; and Charles might for the present be pronounced free from worry on the score of debt. If the Fates had been bitterly hard to him latterly, it seemed that they yet held some little kindness in store for him. But this visit to the University city was productive of the most in- tense chagrin in other ways to Charles Raynor, of the keenest humilia- tion. “But a short while ago, I was oneof ‘hem, with the world all before me that I could hold my head up in!” he kept telling himself, as he watched the undergraduates passing in the street, then keeping their Trinity term, he holding himself aloof from them, for he had not the courage to show his face. If by unavoidable chance he encountered one or two, he got away as quickly as he could, after exchanging a few uncomfortable sentences. While they, knowing of his change of cir- cumstances, of the blighting of his prospects, made no effort to detain him ; and if their manner displayed a certain restraint, springing from innate pity, from delicacy of feeling, Charles put it down to a very different cause, and felt all the deeper mortification. As he quitted Oxford by an early morning train on his way home, his thoughts were busy with what had passed. For one thing, he found that his days of torment at Eagles’ Nest, when he went about in fear of writs and arrest—or, rather, dared nof go about—had been without foundation. With the exception of Mr. Huddles—and that was much later—not a single creditor had followed him there: neither had any written to him, save the one whose letter had by misadventure fallen into the hands of Major Raynor. Who then was the Tiger, Charles asked himself. Could it be that, after all, that fiercely-named man had positively held no mission that concerned him? It might be so: and that Charles had dreaded and hated him for nothing. The Tiger had left Grassmere now: as Charles happened to know. Jetty said so the other day when he was at Eagles’ Nest. To come back again some- time Jetty believed, for the gentleman had said as much to his sister Esther when leaving: he liked the lodgings and liked the place, and should no doubt be visiting them again, And so, Charles Raynor returned home, relieved on the whole, in spite of his never-lifted trouble, and with a lively feeling of gratitude to Frank Raynor in his heart. He could not yet personally thank Frank ; for Frank and his wife had quitted Eagles’ Nest soon after the funeral of Major Raynor. With the fortunes of its hitherto supposed owners come to an end, Frank could not any longer remain, a weight on their hospitable hands, It was at length necessary that he should bestir himself in earnest, and see in what manner he could make a living for himself and Daisy. One great impediment to his doing this comfortably was, that he had) 0 money. comicbooks.coup