The Argosy — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

The Missing Rubies. 87 There were so many things to think about and wonder over. Mr. Redbum was going to make himself objectionable; all her worst fears about him were certain to be realised. He was a man who had never been seriously opposed in his life: and to be thwarted by a mere girl, just out of the school-room, would work him up into positive fury. She must make the best of the situation, however ; Harriet and Godwin had preached patience and forbearance. It was clear that they did not understand her romantic indifference about money. And they were right, of course; quite right in all that they had said; but she found herself wishing, for the hundredth time at least, that the old man had stayed in India. It was not easy to resist Miss Lindrick’s caressing ways, and she had surprised Beatrice into liking her very much. The surface sweetness, which had charmed Godwin Earle in his younger days, had taken a quick effect on Beatrice Ward. She had looked on Alma as a shallow, cold-hearted woman of the world; and to-night there had been hints of deep feeling and unsuspected sorrow which had contradicted her first ideas. Alma was a good many years older than, herself, and the petting manner sat well on her. It was pleas- ant—so pleasant that Beatrice began to feel heartily ashamed of her prejudice. Early next morning, she found time to write a note to Godwin before breakfast. It was a cheerful little note, containing some very kind words about Miss Lindrick ; and when it was written, Beatrice felt she could meet her hostess with a clearer conscience. She put the letter into her pocket, unwilling to leave it lying on the hall-table, where all might read the address. It was just possible, she thought, that the sight of her old lover’s name, in another woman’s handwriting, might give Alma a faint thrill of pain. Miss Lindrick met her guest with the pleasantest of greetings and a gift of freshly-gathered flowers. Mr. Redburn breakfasted in his own room, and Beatrice enjoyed her morning meal all the better for his absence. The Colonel made much of her; Alma smiled and talked with quiet gaiety. Out of doors, the grass was glittering with dew-diamonds, and lilacs and chestnuts were tossed by the softest of May breezes. The garden was a little paradise of blossom and song ; on the whole it seemed that there was plenty of sweetness in life at Oak Lodge. (To be continued. ) HOLT ALTE comlicbooks.con