The Argosy — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

186 Edina. our minds to plan, and our hands to work,” said Edina, pleasantly ; and the bright tone cheered Mrs. Raynor. “For one thing, I have come up to live with you.” “ Edina” ‘‘I cannot provide you with another home: you know why,” con- tinued Edina: “but I can share with you all I have left—my income. It is so poor a one that perhaps you will hardly thank me for it, saddled with myself; but at least it is something to fall back upon, and we can all share and share together.” Mrs, Raynor burst into tears again. Never strong in resources, the repeated calamities she had been subjected to of late had tended to render her next door to helpless both in body and spirit. Charles turned round to Edina, brushing his eyelashes. “I cannot presume to thank you, Edina: you would not care to receive thanks from me. J am hoping to support them.” “In what manner, Charles?” asked Edina; and her tone was as kind as usual, “I hear you have lost hopes of the commission.” “ By getting into some situation and earning a weekly salary at it,” spoke Charles bravely. ‘The worst is, situations seem to be so un- attainable.” “ How do you know they are unattainable ?” “T have done nothing the last few days but try after one. Besides the advertised places, I can’t tell you how many banks and other esta- blishments I have made bold to go into, asking if they want a clerk. A hundred a year would be something.” ‘It would be a great deal,” replied Edina significantly. ‘Salaries to that amount are hard to find. I question if you would get the half of it at first.” A blank look overspread Charley’s face. Edina’s judgment had always been good. ‘But why do you question it, Edina?” ‘‘ Because you are inexperienced : totally unused to work.” “Yes, that’s what some of them said when they questioned me.” ‘¢ There is one person who might help you to such a situation if he would,” observed Edina slowly. ‘But I shall offend you if I speak of him, Charles: as I did once before.” ‘You mean George Atkinson?” “I do. If he chose to put you into his bank, he might give you any salary he pleased; and his will might be good to do it, whether you earned it or not. I think he would if I asked him.” There was a pause. Edina’s thoughts were carrying her back to the old days when George Atkinson had been all the world to her. It would cost her something to apply to him: but for the sake of this helpless family, she must bring her mind to do it. ‘What do you say, Charles?” comicbooks.com