The Argosy — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

Margaret's Grave. 57 in her path ; and she felt half undecided whether to go straight forward to meet her lover, or to turn back. And why this curious feeling in regard to Margaret should have dawned on her, the semi-jealousy, she knew not. Margaret saw her, turned from Mr. Ensor, to whom she was about to speak, and met her with a smile, saying she would take the flowers (some she held in her hand) to the breakfast-room. “Flowers!” exclaimed Leslie in surprise. ‘Where did you get such beauties?” And she bent her head to hide her pink cheeks among the pink blossoms. ‘In the woods, dear,” Margaret replied, kissing the white forehead lightly, while her own cheeks burned brightly. ‘They are only simple wild flowers, but I know how your mother enjoys seeing flowers near her always, and so—— “But there is the garden,” Leslie said, a slight surprise in her voice; “ it is fairly overflowing with flowers, Could you not have gathered your bouquet there?” “To tell the truth, I believe the bright morning tempted me,” replied Margaret. ‘And you know your mother was longing yester- day for some wild flowers. I was up hours ago,” she added, laughing, and vanished. At that moment the walnut leaves of the outer door swung open, and Mr. Ensor came in, a perplexed look in his dark eyes. But it was succeeded by an expression of instant relief when he saw Leslie. “ Dear Leslie !” Mr. Ensor murmured, as she met him. ‘“ You must forgive this early intrusion, but I could wait no longer to know if my happiness was a reality! The shadows of the night made me half afraid that the hope was, after all, only a dream.” “A pleasant dream is sometimes better than the reality!” Leslie said, laughing. “ But not in this case,” he rejoined. “I wish I had you safe and sure, my darling.” Looking up, Leslie saw her mother standing silent on the stairs above. Her face was very pale, and she struggled vainly with the emotions which strove to master her. “Mamma, dear mamma!” Leslie cried, dropping her lover’s hand, and running up to meet her mother. ‘ What is the matter?” But her mother’s face was turned away, and her hand was cold in Leslie’s grasp. “Mrs, Russell, will you give me just ten minutes before breakfast ?” asked Mr. Ensor. “As many minutes as you wish,” she replied, a little haughtily. 66 You are an early visitor. We do not breakfast until ten. Leslie, wait for me ; I will see Mr. Ensor in the library.” Leslie obeyed i in silence ; she did not like the look on Mrs, ‘Russell’s comicbooks.com