The Argosy — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

Fack’s Nrece. 165 Good-natured Jack Kerr was not proof against this piece of flattery from a very pretty girl, whether she might chance to be his niece or no; so he smiled and said: “ Well, you see, Daisy, it’s rather awkward, because, to tell the truth, I don’t know what to do with you. You can’t stay here.” ‘Oh, why not, Uncle Jack? It would be such fun.” “ Impossible! Why, I’ve only two rooms, and this is the bachelor officers’ quarters, No lady could stay here. So we must think of some place to take you to, at once. It is very late to go to an hotel, and I don’t like the idea of your being at one alone—and—and— Well, this is the rummest go!” Jack murmured ruefully to himself, ‘“‘and I don’t know what to do.” He certainly looked the very picture of embarrassment. Daisy also looked grave. ‘I’m afraid I’ve been very foolish, and am giving you no end of trouble. Perhaps I ought not to have come? Perhaps it was not the right thing to do. But in America we have so much freedom, it never struck me in that light. I think I’d better go off to Feltham by the next train.” And Daisy looked inclined to cry. ‘‘ Nonsense! Why, my dear child, it’s nearly ten o’clock, and you can’t travel about by yourself at night. But I do wish you had telegraphed or something, and then I should have been ready with some plan.” ** Isn’t there anywhere I can go to?” asked Daisy piteously. ‘I’m so tired, Uncle Jack, and so hungry.” ‘Hungry! poor child! Well, I can remedy that.” And Jack summoned Jones, and despatched that stolid worthy to the mess to order a nice little supper: “cold chicken or something of that sort and a small bottle of champagne, as quickly as possible.” Jack walked up and down the room, looking much disturbed and racking his brains for some plan as to what to do for this unex- pected guest ; and Daisy sat by the fire, saying nothing, but with her brown eyes full of unshed tears and a sadly pitiful expression. She did feel she had acted foolishly and impulsively, and was full of remorse. In a very short time Jones returned with a most dainty little supper on a tray, and, setting it down on the table, asked: “‘ Did you find a note from Major Allarton, sir ?” Allarton |” cried Jack: “that’s it! Eat your supper, Daisy, and don’t move till I return. Just stay outside the door, Jones, and don’t let a soul come in.” And, seizing his cap, Jack tore out of the room, down the stairs and across the barrack square to a large house standing by itself near the gate. Hiastily ringing the bell, he asked: . ‘STs Mrs, Allarton at home, and will she see me?” In a few seconds the servant returned, preceded by Major Allarton. ‘* What's the matter, Jack ?” said the latter. ‘“ Come in; my wife’s in the drawing-room.” And, without waiting for an answer to his COnmicloooel —_— SS (CO