The Argosy — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

Tum ARCosY.) Anne Hereford. 167 The policeman had not come upon the business at all, but about some poaching matter. Mr. Edwin Barley came out of his wife’s room as we were creeping by it. Charlotte Delves asked if Mrs. Edwin was awake ? “ Awake? Yes! and in a fine excitable state,” he answered, irritably. “‘She does not sleep three minutes together. It is giving herself no chance of recovery. She has got it in her head now that she’s going to die, and has sent for Martin.” He strode down to the waiting policeman. Charlotte Delves went into Mrs. Edwin Barley’s room, and took me. Selina’s cheeks were still hectic with fever; her blue eyes bright and wild. “If you would but try to calm yourself, Mrs. Edwin Barley !” “‘Y am as calm as I can expect to be,” was her answer, given with some petulance. ‘‘My husband need not talk; he’s worse than I am. He says now the doctors are treating me wrongly, and that he shall call in a fresh one. I suppose I shall die between them.” ‘“‘T wish I knew what would soothe you,” spoke Charlotte Delves, ina kind, pleasant voice. : “I’m very thirsty ; I’ve drank all the lemonade; you can fetch me up some more. Anne, do you stay here.” Charlotte Delves took down the lemonade waiter, and Selina drew me to her. ‘The message, Anne !—the message! Did you see Mr. Gregg ?” I gave her the message as I had received it. It was well, she said, and turned away from me in her restlessness. And again a day passed on, bringing no change. I had another walk to Hallam on the Friday. Philip King’s funeral was to be on the Saturday, and the walk appeared to have some con- nection with that event. Selina sent no note this time, but a mysterious message. | “See Mr. Gregg alone as before, Anne,” were the orders. ‘“ Tell him that the funeral is fixed for eleven o'clock to-morrow morning, and he must be at hand, and watch his time. You can mention that I am now too ill to wnite.” | “ Tell him—what do you say, Selina ?” ‘Exactly what I have told you; he will understand, though you do not. Why do you make me speak? I send you in preference to a servant on this private business.” I did not see Selina again thatday. It was said in the household that she was a trifle better. Mr. Edwin Barley had been as good as his word, and a third doctor attended now, a solemn old gentleman in black dress clothes and gold spectacles. It transpired, no one but Miss Delves knowing with what truth, that he agreed with his two brethren in the treatment they had pursued. Saturday morning. The house woke up toa quiet bustle. People ECOMicoOolkxs.cO©