The Argosy — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

How it Happened. 203 wearisome journey. As things are now, however,” he added, speaking to me in whispered tones, “I think my own affairs here want so much immediate looking after that I should much prefer remaining at home.” It was arranged that my husband and Louis should take a cab together to and from the junction. “What a pity Fenella and her friend could not go under your escort,” I said, inadvertently; but I immediately checked myself, remembering that, under existing circumstances, it was much better that the organist should not meet his old acquaintance, at any rate for the present. The Midsummer vacation was just commencing, both at the College and school. Frances was to spend the holidays with me, and I hoped to send her back to the Academy in -better health and spirits than she now enjoyed. Fenella was to start, next evening, for the country, with a schoolfellow, at whose home she had been invited to spend a few weeks. Mr. Carter was with us very early next moming. He arrived before the cab came to the door. He was pale and heavy-eyed, but cheerful in tone and manner. ‘“ You look as if you had not slept, and yet as though you rather enjoyed lying awake,” I said laughingly to him. “Perhaps you are right in both surmises,” he answered, with a smile. “You certainly are in the first. Nature is taking her revenge now, for I could fall off into a profound slumber at this moment, if I gota chance of doing so. I must keep wide awake to-day, however. I have endless accounts to go through in Weston, and then, coming home, I shall have a large sum of money in my hands, To-morrow, as you know, is market day here, and the manager expects to need a good deal of gold; besides which my pocket-book is to be filled with notes on his behalf.” He had a small valise in his hand. “Js that meant for all the sovereigns?” I asked, pointing to it, and wondering at the unusual communicativeness of my friend. He nodded. “You must take care of it then,” I said, sagaciously. I stood on the doorstep to see the travellers drive off, and repeated my warning as they both waved me a final farewell. The weather was very sultry, and they had a tiresome day. When they met in the evening, at the Weston Station, John was distressed to find that his companion wes completely worn out by the bodily and mental fatigues he had gone through. The train was so crowded that it was impossible for the two to travel together. My husband was provoked at this, as he was anxious to relieve his friend of all care and anxiety concerning his heavily laden valise. Under existing circum- stances he was only able to see that Louis was comfortably ensconced in the corner seat of a first-class carriage. Having provided.him with a newspaper, he was obliged to hurry off and secure a place for himself. comicbooks.com