The Argosy — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

114 Featherston’s Story. ‘¢ Well, Fennel was suspected—detected, in short—of cheating at cards.” Lavinia drew a deep breath. ‘‘ Do you know,” she said presently, in an undertone, “that when I first met the man I shrank from his face.” ‘Oh my! And it has such nice features!” put in Mrs. Smith, who was but a silly little woman. *‘ There was something in its shifty look which spoke to me asa warning,” continued Lavinia. ‘It did, indeed. All my life I have been able to read faces, and my first instinct has rarely, if ever, deceived me. Each time I have seen this man since, that instinct against him has become stronger.” Major Smith took a draught of his schiedam. “I believe— between ourselves—he is just a mauvais sujet,” said he. ‘' He has a brother who is one, out and out; as I chance to know.” ‘¢ What is Edwin Fennel’s income, Major? ” ‘‘T can’t tell at all. I should not be surprised to hear that he has none.” *‘ Flow does he live then?” asked Lavinia, her heart going at a gallop. “Don’t know that either,” said the Major. ‘ His father is dead now and can’t help him. A very respectable man, the old Colonel, but always poor.” ‘‘ He cannot live upon air; he must have some means,” debated Lavinia. ‘‘ Lives upon his wits perhaps; some men do. He wanted to borrow ten pounds from me a short time ago,” added the Major, taking another sip at his tumbler; ‘‘ but I told him I had no money to lend—which was a fact. I have an idea that he got it out of Charley Palliser.” The more Lavinia Preen heard of this unhappy case, the worse it seemed to be. Declining to stay for tea, as Mrs. Smith wished, she betook her miserable steps home again, rather wishing that the sea would swallow up Captain Fennel. The next day she saw Charles Palliser. Pouncing upon him as he was airing his long legs in the Grande Place, she put the question to him in so determined a way that Charley had no chance against her. He turned red. ‘TI don’t know who can have set that about,” said he. ‘* But it’s true, Miss Preen. Fennel pressed me to lend him ten pounds for a month ; and I—well, I did it. I happened to have it in my pocket, you see, having just cashed a remittance from my father.” ‘* Has he repaid you, Mr. Charles? ” ‘‘Oh, the month’s not quite up yet,” cried Charley. ‘‘ Please don’t talk of it, Miss Preen ; he wouldn’t like it, you know. How on earth it has slipped out I can’t imagine.” “No, I shall not talk of it,” said Lavinia, as she wished him good- ECOMiCcOOolkKS —_— (CO