The Argosy — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

| Archibald Lester's Advertisement. 315 you see, I lost my mother, and I can’t get over it. I am nota lady’s man, yet one wants a woman to seeto one’s house. So, I advertised, and—and—I thought if—if—I liked the respondent—I might,—in short, I vainly supposed I could replace my mother.” Edith felt inclined to laugh, but there was a tone in his voice that struck a corresponding note in her heart. ‘‘ That, one can never do,” she said. ‘“*T suppose not,” he returned, glancing into her eyes. He seemed about to go, so she volunteered to call her sister, and brought the téte-a-téte to a close. ‘“‘ Did you accept him?” Were Mrs. Moreton’s first words when he was gone. ‘“‘ He never asked me,” Edith replied. ‘Then, what shall we do and where shall we go 2?” said Mrs. Moreton, bursting into tears. ‘* Have you lost all faith in God, Louisa ?” asked Edith. A few hours afterwards a parcel arrived directed to Miss Poppy Moreton. It contained the biggest doll procurable in Martinsborough, and a well sealed letter. While Poppy was dancing with delight her doll in her arms, her mother and aunt broke open the letter. A Bank of England note for ten pounds fell out, together with half a crown ; and the following words :— “DEAR Poppy, “T send the big silver penny, because you offered to be my wife. You are the only lady living who would make such a proposal, and you must not forget it. Ishall not. You or your mamma can do what you will with the piece of paper. Your friend ‘“ ARCHIBALD LESTER ” “ T will take the money back directly,” said Edith. ‘It is too much impertinence? Does he think to buy us ?” Vainly Mrs. Moreton tried to oppose this, saying the ten pounds were Poppy’s. Edith got possession of it, and went to the hotel. Mr. Lester had left by express. As she returned home, she resolved that she would send back the bank-note to London. Her sister reminded her that they did not know the address, and, therefore, might as well make use of his present. Poverty is a sore pride-tamer, so she was obliged to yield. Archibald’s matrimonial venture had been unsuccessful, and he did not advertise again for a housekeeper. He put the curt note he had received from Mrs. Moreton into his mother's davenport, looked at it occasionally and thought of Edith and Poppy more than of Mrs. More- ton, for they were more to his taste. He was even guilty of a sigh as he remembered his folly and wished he had never. seen, MyrtleCottage. | Still he occasionally amused himself with writing and d tearing u ip more or mn So COU