The Argosy — page 337: what you’re looking at

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

Archibald Lester's Advertisement. 319 A few weeks after his return to London, there was much excitement in his palace of a house in the city, called by him his offices, but once inhabited by his parents. The first floor had been furnished, neither clerks nor servants knew for whom, and its future inmates were expected. Fires and gas blazed upstairs and dispersed the cold of winter and the fog of the city. A good feast was spread ina large com- fortable room, and the old housekeeper waited expectant. Archibald was down stairs in a gloomy office, surrounded by old- fashioned furniture, desks, big maps, piles of ledgers, and cobwebs. He professed to be writing, as usual, but was now gazing on a spider Opposite, as persevering as Bruce’s. ‘There was noise enough without, but within all was quiet. At last, amongst all the cabs, carts and waggons, he was sure he heard one particular cab stop at the door. There was a bustle in the big hall, and a child’s voice rang cheerily through the vaults of the passages. ‘‘T wonder if she is come!” he murmured, getting up and sitting down again ; then taking from his pocket-book the copy of one of his laconic epistles, he read it half aloud: ‘ DeEaR Miss EDITH,—Could you answer my advertisement? If so, and if you would try to love such a ‘ funny gentleman,’ come with them. If not, do not come yet awhile for his sake. © ARCHIBALD LESTER.” ‘‘Oh no! she is not come,” he sighed. He waited more than an hour, then he went timidly up his own wide staircase, dimly hghted from the landing and knocked at a door. As it was opened he was greeted by a sight, gratifying yet disappointing. Mr. and Mrs. Moreton sat side by side near the blazing fire—Poppy, asleep in her father’s arms, her big doll nestled to her little breast. There was no Edith! Alas poor Archibald ! his heart sank and he was about to retreat with a murmured, “ Never mind: I will come to-mor- row,” when a low voice whispered from within the door, “come in.” It was Edith after all. He saw her blushing face, and taking the hand she held out, he drew her into the passage. He felt bold enough now, yet he could only say, *‘ Edith ! you have come then!” “Yes,” said the trembling girl. ‘And you came because——”’ ‘I came because you asked me.”’ ‘“‘Ts it—is it gratitude or love?” ‘It is both in one.” “Then your sister will live here, and you will be my dear wife.” The bright hazel eyes shone like stars in the dull light, as, for the first time, he dared to look fully into them. Both hands were placed confidingly in his, and, as his hazy timidity gradually melted in the warm sunshine of affection, he learnt that his advertisement-was, indeed, doubly answered. ECoOMmicloooks (C(O)