The Argosy — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

168 Edina. Charley went on writing. The first letter did not please him; and when it was nearly completed he tore it up and began another. “It is always difficult to know what to say in this kind of applica- tion: and I don’t think I am much of a letter-writer,” observed he, candidly. Alice grew tired, nodded over her embroidery, and at length said good night.and went upstairs. Edina sent the servant up, and stitched on at another pinafore. “T think that will do,” said Charley: and he read the letter aloud. “Tt will do very well,” acquiesced Edina. “But, Charley, I foresee all kinds of difficulties. To begin with, Iam not at all sure that you are eligible for a commission: I fancy you ought to go first of all to Woolwich.” “ Not a bit of it,” replied Charley, full of confidence. “What other difficulties do you foresee, Edina?” “TI wish you would give up the idea.” “J daresay! What would you have me do, if I did give it up?” ‘Pocket pride, and get a situation.” Charles tossed back his head. Pride was nearly as much in the ascendant with him as it ever had been. He thought how old and silly Edina was getting. But he remembered what she had done for them, and would not quarrel with her. “Time enough to talk of that, Edina, when: I have had Colonel Cockburn’s answer.” Edina spoke no further for a few moments. She rose; shook out Robert’s completed pinafore, and folded it. “I had a scheme in my head, Charley ; but you don’t seem inclined to hear anything I may say upon the subject.” “Yes, I will,” replied Charley, lifting his ears at the rather attractive word “scheme.” “TI will hear that.” “I cannot help thinking that if Mr. George Atkinson were applied to, he would give you a post in his bank. He ought to doit. After turning you out of Eagles’ Nest-——” “T’d not apply to him ; I'd not take it,” interrupted Charles fiercely, his anger aroused by the name. “If he offered me the best post in it to-morrow, I would fling it back in his face. Good-night, Edina: I’m off. I don’t care to stay to hear of suggested obligations from Aim.” On the day of Edina’s departure for Trennach, the morning post brought Colonel Cockburn’s answer to Charles. It was very short. Edina, her bonnet on, stood to read it over his shoulder. The Colonel intimated that he did not quite comprehend Charles's application ; but would see him on his return to London. “So there’s nothing for it but to wait—and I hope he won't be long,” remarked Charles, as he folded the scantily worded letter. “ You orust see there’s not, Edina.” oS! comicbooks.com