The Argosy — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

134 Madge's Sacrifice. Meantime, Kit passed out at the vicarage gate in the winter twilight, and sauntered along past the church and the pretty cottages that bordered the village road, with its wide margin of sward and stately sheltering elms, to the post-office. He had paused ere he reached it, however, before the most dainty of these cottages, and gazed in through the unshuttered window upon the coziest of parlours, where the firelight flickered on gilt-framed pictures and tasty furniture, and lingered lovingly around the bent head of a young girl, as she knelt by the chair of an elder lady sorting some gay-coloured wools on her lap. The elder lady was Mrs. Helston, the widow of the late vicar, and the kneeling girl was Mary. Kit heaved a great sigh as he gazed. At any other time he would have rushed in upon them, sure of a kindly welcome. But now he dared not face their sad looks. His punishment had begun. Never mind ; to-morrow would bring Tom down, and then all would be right. So thinking, he hastened on to the post-office, and despatched Madge’s savings. He found his sister still over the fire on his return. Her pretty fair hair drawn up from her brow, as the little hands had worked in it thoughtfully, her blue eyes shining eagerly, her small mouth firmly set. “ Kit, I’ve been thinking, and I’ve made up my mind. Tom must be paid whatever it costs, and father mustn’t be worried. You and I must do it, Kit. / have an idea. Have you ?” “Not the ghost of one. I wish I had.” * Well, you must sit here alone as I have done, and think hard tll you've got one. And the first thing to-morrow you will walk with me into the town, won’t your And then I shall see how mine will work.” ‘¢ All right, Madge. Do you know, I half think Tom’s in love with you. He’s always raving about your wonderful hair. You let it all down in the tableau last Christmas, as Undine, you know, and Tom can’t forget it.” ‘Can't he?” said Madge witha curious smile, as she left the room. Arrived at her own room she shut herself in, and putting on a pretty white dressing-gown, unfastened the shining golden braids, and let the wealth of glittering hair fall like a cloak around her. Then she stood in front of the glass, and gazed long and earnestly. At last she turned away with a slight sigh of regret, saying aloud: ‘‘ Good-bye, old wig ; good-bye, young Madge. What a fright you'll be by this time to- morrow !” II. 4 A BRIGHT frosty morning, with that delightful freshness in the air which makes the heart dance with joy, whether it will or no. And (GO) CORNICE OOS