The Argosy — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

The Master of Greylands. 265 Oh, more deadly white than before did these words turn the poor lady who was listening. Her face was as the face of one stricken with terror; her breath came in gasps; she clutched at her child, lest her trembling hands should let it tall. John Bent and his wife came forth, bearing between them the piled up clothes-basket, a small mahogany desk on its top. She let her face drop upon her child’s and kept it there, as though she too had fallen asleep. ‘* Dear me, there’s the lady !” cried John. ** And it’s unbeknown what s#e has overheard,” muttered Mrs. Bent. “T beg your pardon, ma’am, you'll be cold sitting there: had you dropped asleep ?” The lady lifted her white face: fortunately the passage was in twi- light : she passed a pockethandkerchief over her brow as she spoke. ‘My little child got so restless that I came up. Is the room ready?” Letting fall her handle of the basket and leaving her husband to convey it into their chamber as he best could, Mrs. Bent took the child from the speaker's arms and preceded her into the room. A spacious, comfortable chamber, with a fine view over the sea, and a good fire burning up in the grate. ‘We were as quick as we could be,” said Mrs. Bent, in apology for having kept her guest waiting ; “but I had to empty the chamber first ‘of some articles that were in it. I might have given you another room at once, ma’am, for we always keep them in readiness, you see ; but this is the largest and has the pleasantest look-out; and I thought if the little girl was to be ill, youd like it best.” “ Articles belonging to a former traveller ?” asked the lady, who was kneeling then before her trunk to get out her child’s night things. “Yes, ma’am. A gentleman we had here a few short weeks ago.” ** And he has left ? ” “Oh yes,” replied Mrs. Bent, gently combing back the child’s soft brown hair, before she passed the sponge of warm water over her face. “But why did he not take his things with him? ” “Well, ma’am, he—he left unexpectedly; and so they remained here.” Now, in making this somewhat evasive answer, Mrs. Bent had no particular wish to deceive. But, what with the work she had before her, and what with the fretful child on her knee, it was not exactly the moment for entering on gossip. The disappearance of Anthony Castlemaine was too public and popular a theme in the neighbourhood, for any idea of concealment to be connected with it. The lady, how- over, thought otherwise, and said no more. Indeed, the child claimed all their attention. ‘Marie soif,” said she, as they put her into bed. ‘‘ Maman, Marie soif.” COMIC OOOKS. EO —_) aa)