The Argosy — page 331: what you’re looking at

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

Archibald Lester's Advertisement. 313 ‘“‘ Have you got the situation ?” she asked eagerly. ‘‘No! then what shall we do ?” “Dear Edith, I don’t think I should suit him ; but you might. It strikes me he wants a wife more than a housekeeper, and he seems a nice, amiable man.” “Well,” cried Edith, flushing with pain and vexation, “I did not think you would barter me for bread! If I am to be sold let me go into a: market where I may have a chance of a better husband than that. I will work for you and Poppy, but I will never be married for you.” ‘‘Qh, Edith, don’t be cruel. You know you said the other. day you would marry a chimney-sweep, if only you could get enough to eat! I am thinking of you and not myself; for now that we have spent all your money, I cannot bear that you should want. Perhaps, this Mr. Lester may be a good, generous man, Edith. He seems so to me. Suppose he were to take a fancy to you.” ‘“‘T certainly should never take a fancy to him: we have scarcely spoken to one another, and, as it appears that he has made a foul of himself—and you too apparently—I see no reason why we should give him another moment’s thought. I wish you would be a little more matter-of-fact and less imaginative : though to be sure it is matter-of- fact enough to marry a man simply because he happens to be rich.” While Edith was thus giving vent to her indignation Archibald was making himself comfortable at his hotel. No man was less shy than he with men, and he asked the waiter all sorts of questions concerning Mrs. Moreton. He learnt that she was a lady of good family who had married badly, and whose husband had left her, having first squandered such fortune as she had. She was very poor, and had been, it was sup- posed, for some time dependent on her sister, Miss Sumner, who had * inherited a few hundred pounds from her mother, the widow of a clergy- man, and was as nice and clever a young lady as ever lived. Primed with this intelligence, Archibald Lester called at Myrtle Cottage the following morning, and was again received by Mrs. Moreton. He had resolved to be bold as a lion, and to make Miss Sumner’s ac- quaintance in the orthodox way; but no sooner was he within her abode, than his courage failed him. | ‘‘T have asked my sister,” began trembling Mrs. Moreton. *¢ Oh, indeed !” ‘‘ She says,’———a pause. ‘“‘- VYes—what does she say ?” interjected he. “TI am sorry to say, that she says, ‘ No,’” said she. “Madam ! I did not mean to assume——that on so shght——”’ ‘Oh, sir!” interrupted Mrs. Moreton, “if only you wanted a house- keeper! I should have been so glad of the situation. Why did you advertise.” | ‘Why indeed! I fear I have made a blunder.” ECOMicoOOKS.CoOm