The Argosy — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

14 Edina. and a fine brown beard. But the Tiger, whomsoever he might be, appeared to entertain no hostile intentions for the present moment, and was strolling leisurely in the direction of the huts. Presently Frank spoke. “He is well away now, Charley: too far to distinguish you, even should he turn round. There’s no danger.” Charley came out from the hedge, and took up his former position at the extreme corner of the stile, where he was partially hidden. Every vestige of colour had forsaken his face. He was but young yet: not much more than a boy, as Frank said: and unfamiliar with these things. “I saw him yesterday for the first time,” said he to Frank. ‘ While wondering in a lazy kind of a way who he was and what he wanted here, a great rush of fear came over me. I thought he must be a sheriff’s officer. Why the idea should have flashed on me in that sudden way— and the fear—I cannot tell; but it did. I made the best of my way in-doors, and did not stir out again. This morning I said to myself what a simpleton I had been—that I had no grounds for fearing the man, except that he was a stranger; and I came out full of bravery. The first person I saw upon proceeding to cross this stile was he ; just in the same spot, close to the trees, where I saw him yesterday ; and thé rush oi fear came over me again.—It’s of no good your laughing, Frank : I can’t help it : I never was a coward before.” “TI was not laughing. Did he see you?” “No. Neither time, I think. I’m sure he is looking after me. If I were well up in funds, I’d be off somewhere and stay away.” “You could not stay away for ever.” “There’s the worst of it. But then, you see, that money may turn up, and put all things straight.” “Well, you may be mistaken in the man, Charley; and I hope you are. Let us go in.” William Stane was at home for these Easter holidays, and Still, as heretofore, the shadow of Alice Raynor. It chanced that this same afternoon, they encountered the Tiger—as, from that day, Charles and Frank both called him in private. Strolling along side by side under the brilliant. afternoon sun, in that silence which is most eloquent of love, with the birds singing melodiously above them, and the very murmur of the waving trees speaking a sweet language to their hearts, they came upon him, this stranger in grey, sitting on the stump of atree. The trees, mostly beeches, were thick about there, the path branched off sharply at a right angle, and they did not see him until they were close up. In fact, William Stane had to makea step or two of détour to pass without touching him. Perhaps it ‘was his unexpected appearance in that spot, or that it was not usual to see strangers, or else his peculiar look, with the slouching hat and the ba hy Ber sF PER A APE BR ao ER Ne comicbooks.com