The Argosy — page 288: what you’re looking at

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

272 Anne. not—but yes, I can dance: everybody dances in France. Ours was not a rich home, and my dear mother brought me up to be useful in it- I can make my own clothes; I can cook you an omelette, or ——” “ Anne, this is Mr. Todhetly,” interrupted her father. The Squire had come in through the open glass doors, round which the jessamine was blooming. When they had talked a bit, he took me up to Dr. Lewis. “Has Coney told you who he is? William Ludlow’s son. You re- member fim?” “Remember William Ludlow! I must forget myself before I could forget him,” was the doctor’s answer, as he took both my hands in his and held me before him to look into my eyes. The tears were rising in his own. “« A pleasant face to look at,” he was pleased to say. ‘“ But they did not name him William ?” “No; we call him Johnny.” “One generation passes away and another springs up in its place. How few, how few of those I knew are now left to welcome me! Even poor Jacob has not stayed.” Tears seemed to be the fashion just then. I turned away when re- leased and saw them in Miss Lewis’s eyes as she stood against the window-sill, absently playing with the white-flowered jessamine. ‘¢When they begin to speak of those who are gone, it always puts me in mind of mamma,” she said, in a whisper, as if she would apologise to me for the tears, “TI can’t help it.” “Ts it long since you lost her?” “ Nearly two years ; and home has not been the same to papa since. I do my best; but I am not my mother. I think it was that which made papa resolve to come to England when he found he could afford it. Home is but trying, you see, when the dearest one it contained has gone out of it.” It struck me that the house could not have had one dearer in it than Anne. She was years and years older than I, but I began to wish she was my sister. And her manners to the servant were so nice—a homely country girl, named Sally, engaged by Mr. Coney. Miss Lewis told the girl that she hoped she would be happy in her new place, and that she would help her when there was much work to do. Altogether Anne Lewis was a perfect contrast to the fashionable damsels of that day, who could not make themselves out to appear too fine. The next {day was Sunday. We had just finished breakfast, and Mrs. Todhetley was nursing her toothache, when Dr. Lewis came in, looking more shadowy than ever in his black’ Sunday clothes, with the deep band on his hat. They were going to service at Timberdale, and he wanted me to go with them. . oogle comicbooks.com