The Argosy — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

THE ARGOSY, SEPTEMBER, 1887, LADY GRACE. BY MRS. HENRY WOOD, AUTHOR OF “EAST LYNNE." —_~go-—___ CHAPTER XIII. AT GREAT WHITTON. ‘THE trees at Great Whitton grew bright with the tender green of. spring, and the hedges were budding into leaf. Gertrude Baumgarten was slowly walking through one of the country lanes towards Avon House, enjoying the freshness of the morning. The sun shone, the skies were blue and unclouded, the air felt warm. almost as that of a summer’s day, and the birds sang with a rapture that is so exhilarating on these days when all nature is springing into- new life and beauty. Gertrude had been into the village. She looked fair and lovely as ever; more lovely, perhaps, than her mother had looked before her, for her face was a less proud one. Proud enough it was, but not as Lady Grace’s had been; and latterly Gertrude’s had assumed a somewhat sad expression, as if she were not altogether as happy as of od. Leaning over the small wicket which was placed only a few yards. from the large iron gates at Avon House, stood Lord Avon, looking at her as she advanced. He had been living at his place all the spring, and his sister, Lady Grace, with her daughter, Gertrude, had for the last few weeks been staying with him. The Earl was the same good-natured man he had ever been, and looked very little altered. His locks were more scanty than of yore, and a few silver: threads might be seen amongst them, but in all else he appeared unchanged. “ You are back at last, Gertrude ! ” “At last?” she repeated. ‘‘Why? Have you wanted me, Uncle: Avon ?” “Not at all, But I have been watching for you for an age. What are you carrying in that small parcel ?” VOL. XLIV. M comichooks.com