The Argosy — page 336: what you’re looking at

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

318 Archibald Lester's Advertisement. He said it again, and not being strong, the sudden news was too much for her and she fainted. “ Miss Edith ! come quickly !” resounded through the passage. Was -ever ambassadorial bachelor in such a predicament ? Edith was in the room in a@ moment, and was soon engaged in re- storing animation. Archibald left it when he saw that Mrs. Moreton was recovering, wondering at Edith’s self-command. He went into the other parlour and took up a book. It was a German grammar. He understood German, s0 he studied that language till he was inter- rupted by Edith, who, closing the door said hastily, ‘Ts the news you have brought true, Mr. Lester P ” ‘Quite true. And if your sister will forgive the past there is no reason that they should not be happy again. If he keep steady, I will put him into a better position, so that he may be respectable and able to maintain a wife and child.” Archibald grew fluent enough when speaking of mere business. “You are, indeed, our benefactor,’ said Edith, bursting into tears. What was to come next? No. Edith did not faint, but recovered herself instantly. “Ts this—your grammar? Itis not a good one,” said he, taking up the book. ‘‘T am trying to learn the language that I may teach it,” she said. “ Are you engaged in teaching thene Do you like it?” “JT do not dislike it, but I shall lose my engagement, when my friends and—employers leave Martinsborough.” “ You had better make another.” “‘T wish I could.” Their eyes met, and it would be difficult to say which coloured most. “Tama blundering, stupid fellow, and I scarcely know what you must think of me,” said he. ‘Have you forgiven the advertisement affair ? ”’ ‘What would have become of us without it ? Your first gift kept a house over our heads: your second saved our darling, and now you bring hope with you. Do you think Mr. Moreton is sincere?” ‘¢ He works hard, which is a good sign; and if he remains with me, I will give him plenty to do. Nothing like work, Miss Edith, to keep men out of mischief.” ‘“ And women, too; if my sister had definite employment, she would be far happier.” ‘¢ She says she can keep house. If she and her husband make it up, do you think she would still take charge of mine, and so answer my advertisement after all ?” “How could that be, Mr. Lester? Though she would be too happy to remove.”’ Archibald ‘did not then explain, and, after some further conversation left them. ECORNICLOOO SS (C(O)