The Argosy — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

100 The Master of Greylands. ‘“We shall have Raven’s Priory, Mary,” he whispered, speaking in his great hopefulness ; and his voice was joyous, and his pale face had a glow on it not often seenthere. ‘Your papa, himself, says how beautiful the gardens and conservatories are.” ‘‘'Yes,” she softly answered. ‘‘ We shall be sure to have it.” ‘‘T may not stay, Mary: I only came back to tell you this. And to wish you good night once again.” Her hand was within his arm, and they walked together to the end of the music-room. All the lights had been put out, save two. Just within the door, he halted and took his farewell. His arm was around her, his lips were upon hers. ‘May all good angels guard you this happy night,--my love !— my promised wife !” He went down the corridor swiftly ; she stole her blushing face to the opening of the door, to take a last look at him. At that moment a crash, as of some frail thing broken, was heard in the card-room. Mr. Blake Gordon tumed into it; Mary followed him. The beautiful Dresden vase lay on the stone flags of the hearth; shivered into many atoms, It was one that Mary set great store by for it had been a purchase of her mother’s. “Oh papa! How did it happen?” “ My dear, I swept it off unwittingly with my elbow: I am _ very sorry for it,” said Mr. Peter Castlemaine. CHAPTER VI. ANTHONY CASTLEMAINE ON HIS SEARCH. THE hour of dinner with all business men in Stilborough was half-past one o'clock in the day. Perhaps Mr. Peter Castlemaine was the only man who did not really dine then; but he took his luncheon; which came to the same thing. It was the recognised daily interregnum in the public doings of the town—this half-hour between half-past one and two: consequently shops, banks, offices, all were virtually though not actually closed. The bank of Mr. Peter Castlemaine made no exception. Except on Thursday, market day, the bank was left to the care of one clerk during this half-hour. It was the day after the ball. The bank had been busy all the morning, and Mr. Peter Castlemaine had been away the best part of it. He came back at half-past one, just as the clerks were filing out. “Do you want me, sir?” asked Thomas Hill, standing back with his hat in his hand ; and it was the dreadfully worn, perplexed look on his master’s face that induced him to ask the question. *¢ Just for a few minutes,” was the reply. ‘Come into my room.” SS (C(O) in —_) Once there, the door closed upon them, they sat in dire @ibulatiow