The Argosy — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

Gwen. III “You certainly are worrying Mr. Dallas now, Gwen,” interposed her mother. ‘We have all spoilt her, that is the fact, Mr. Dallas,” she went on in apology. ‘I really think it might be a good thing to send her to a boarding-school for a year or two.” “If I go away to school will you remain here?” asked impetuous ‘Gwen, turing full upon him with the unexpected query. He was not prepared for so direct an attack, and was moreover puzzled as to what he might allow himself to do under such altered conditions. Gwen saw the hesitation, and seized the opportunity. “TI believe he would, mamma,” she exclaimed. ‘If so, I will go at once; next week that is. Miss Metcalfe’s school, which you are always extolling so, begins next week. Do let me go.” It was Mrs. Ellis’s turn to be surprised now. She glanced from Gwen’s flushed face to Mr. Dallas’s perturbed one, and then making some excuse to send the girl out of the room, said : ‘*Of course Gwen has been talking nonsense. I believe the poor child thinks she has brought disgrace on the whole establishment by her failure.” Mr. Dallas looked irresolute for a moment, and then said rather hurriedly : “ After all, I think I must ask your help, Mrs. Ellis. You have always been a kind friend to me, and you will, I know, be as lenient as you can to my folly. The fact is, I was foolish to undertake the office of tutor to Gwen. She had been but as a delightful child to me before; now she has become much more, and preposterous as the idea is, I cannot trust myself to remain under the spell of her pre- sence. Do not think for one moment that I wish to enlist your sympathies on my behalf, except in helping me to make good my retreat. I am not quite so visionary as to dream of ever gaining such a prize as Gwen for my wife. I see all the facts plainly. I am just twice her age. I have only enough income for my own wants, and mo prospects in the future even that would warrant me in hoping ever to be a fit husband for her. I would not tie her down to the insig- nificant lot of a poor school-master’s wife if I could—she, who should have such a glorious career. But I would keep myself in working order if possible, and not fail, as I did yesterday afternoon, in just the ordinary school routine.” Mrs. Ellis had been listening eagerly, her work fell idly on her lap, and her eyes were fixed on the grave and troubled face of the speaker. But she had no time for any but the shortest reply, as Gwen was turning the handle of the door. “Thank you for your confidence,” the girl heard her mother say as she entered. ‘And now won't you let Gwen refill your cup?” But Mr, Dallas declined, and took his leave instead, saying he meant to indulge in a country walk to try and get rid of the cobwebs. ‘But what about my going to school, mamma ?” queried Gwen as ihe door closed behind him. comicbooks.com ,