The Argosy — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

40 Featherston’s Story. III. Ir was a fine morning at the beginning of April; the sun being particularly welcome, as Sainteville had latterly been favoured with a spell of ill-natured, bitter east winds. About eleven o'clock, Miss Preen and her sister turned out of their house to take a walk on the pier—which they liked to do on most days, wind and weather per- mitting. In going down the Rue des Arbres, they were met by a fresh-looking little elderly gentleman, with rather long white hair and wearing a white necktie. He stopped to salute the ladies, bowing ceremoniously low to each of them. It was Monsieur le Docteur Dupuis, a kindly man of skilful reputation, who had now mostly, though not altogether, given up practice to his son, M. Henri Dupuis. Miss Lavinia had a little acquaintance with the doctor, and took occasion to ask him news of the public welfare ; for there was raging in the town the malady called la grippe, which, being interpreted, means influenza. It was not much better at present, Dupuis answered; but this genial sunshine he hoped would begin to drive it away: and, with another bow, he passed onward. The pier was soon reached, and they enjoyed their walk upon it. The sunlight glinted on the rather turbulent waves of the sea in the distance, but there was not much breeze to be felt on land. When nearing the top of the pier their attention was attracted to a fishing boat, which was tumbling about rather unaccountably in its efforts to make the harbour. “It almost looks from here as though it had lost its rudder, Nancy,” remarked Miss Lavinia. They halted, and stood looking over the side at the object of interest ; not particularly noticing that a gentleman stood near them, also looking at the same through an opera glass. He was spare, of middle height and middle age; his hair was grey, his face pale and impassive; the light overcoat he wore was of fashionable English cut. “Oh, Lavinia, look, look !—It is coming right on to the end of the pier,” cred Ann Preen. ‘¢ Flush, Nancy, don’t excite yourself,” said Miss Lavinia, in lowered tones. “It will take care not to do that.” The gentleman gave a wary glance at them. He saw two ladies dressed alike, in handsome black velvet mantles, and bonnets with violet feathers ; by which he judged them to be sisters, though there was no resemblance in face. The elder had clear-cut features, a healthy colour, dark brown hair, worn plain, and a keen, sensible expression. The other was fair, with blue eyes and light ringlets. ‘‘ Pardon me,” he said, turning to them, and his accent was that of a gentleman. ‘“ May I offer you the use of my glasses?” ‘Oh, thank you!” exclaimed Nancy, in a light tone, borderin COMiCOOOkxS.con