The Argosy — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

84 The Missing Rubies. ‘‘We must make changes.” Mr. Redburn’s manner was becoming more and more authoritative: ‘I almost think it will be best to find you a new home.” ‘* A new home! I cannot leave Harriet, Mr. Redburn, It was my grandfather’s last wish that I should go to her. What would have become of me through the past twelve months if she had not given me her love and shelter? No mother could have cared for me more tenderly than Harriet has done.” ‘I did not mean to separate you entirely from Mrs. Milton; I know how good she has been,” said the old man, with a touch of pettishness in his voice. ‘There are no plans formed yet. I have not even made up my mind where I shall live.” “Don’t let us think of changes,” the girl said, gently. ‘“ You have only just come home, you know ; and you have got to see people, and get well and strong. Why do you concern yourself so much about poor little me, Mr. Redburn ?” “I ought to have concerned myself about you sooner,” he replied. “If I were to devote all my thoughts to myself, child, I should be the most wretched old man in the universe. Don’t be impatient if I want to meddle a little with your affairs, Beatrice. Try to think of me as an uncle, or a guardian, or even a grandfather |” “T shall always think of you as one of my best and kindest friends,” she answered, quietly. But he was not quite satisfied. “I must be more than a friend,” he insisted. ‘You are alone in the world, my dear; and poor Ward, if he could speak to you now, would tell you to trust yourself to my guidance. A girl needs a guide.” “T have a safe guide in Mrs. Milton,” said Beatrice, with gentle decision. Alma, playing softly, heard the reply, and smiled to herself. The autocratic old man had met with his match, she thought, with some amusement. He had expected to find a ready-made daughter in Beatrice, docile, submissive, willing to accept his mandates and his money. But here was a girl who had a spirit of her own, and was actually impolitic enough to let it be seen. Colonel Lindrick, also listening, exchanged a glance with Alma. He admired Miss Ward’s pluck, although he mentally set her down as an impetuous little fool. “Tut, tut! Mrs. Milton is all very well, but she is not a man, and she has seen nothing of the world. I tell you that a girl needs a guardian. She wants to be led and taught by some one who knows what life is. Don’t you understand ?” Beatrice did thoroughly understand. And she could not help thinking triumphantly that she was already provided with a guardian who possessed all the requisite qualities. But she only said “ yes” in her very softest voice.. comicbooks.com