The Argosy — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

Madge's Sacrifice. 135 there was no want of will in the two young people who set out together on their expedition to the three miles’ distant town, as soon as breakfast was Over. Kit and Madge were the vicar’s only children by his first wife, but there were three little ones by the present Mrs. Mowbray, and Madge had early determined to work for herself and cease to be a burden on her father as soon as possible. With this view she had been acting as pupil-teacher in a good school for the last year, and having now arrived at the age of eighteen, considered it high time to make her Start in life. Kit was a source of anxiety and expense to the family, which was an extra inducement to Madge to exert herself. And she was glad of the opportunity of discussing her plans with him on this soul-cheering morning. Madge’s enthusiasm inspired Kit, and the three miles’ walk was quickly accomplished as the two chatted eagerly over their resolutions and plans for the future. “T felt uncommonly queer, I can tell you, Madge, as I looked in at Mrs. Helston’s window last evening, and for the first time in my life daren’t go in, knowing how cut-up they’d be to see me without Tom. I’ve been downright ashamed of myself ever since you gave me the money. And so help me, Heaven!” he added gravely, raising his hand for a moment, “I won’t mun into debt again, come what may.” “That’s a good Kit; now I don’t mind anything,” said Madge as she stopped at the chief hair-dresser’s shop, with her face all in a glow. ‘‘ Now you go and read the papers,” she added, “and I'll meet you in half an hour at the post-office. And mind, Kit, when you see me, you're not to say a word.” Unsuspicious Kit went his way, preoccupied with a plan of his own; namely, the selling of some new costly books, the thoughtless purchase of which during his last term at Oxford had helped to bring him into such straits, and driven him to borrow of his poor but generous-hearted friend. It was to spare the feelings of Kit’s home people that Tom had lent the money ; he was too prudent and thoughtful a son to have done so for any less purpose. But while Kit is eating humble-pie at the chief stationer’s shop, and arranging to part with his beautiful favourites at so much less than he gave for them but a few months before, Madge has entered the barber’s with an inward shrinking, and is confronted with Mr. Combe, the master of the shop. Madge entered the inner room, feeling very shy and frightened, and utterly at a loss to explain her errand. But she sat herself in front of the mirror silently, the white cloth was thrown around her shoulders, the glittering braids let down, and then fortune favoured her. Mr. Combe started with unfeigned admiration as he unplaited braid after braid and shook out the silky hair, and said : “ Excuse me, miss, but what a head of hair, to be sure! It would ys a fortune to me just now. I happen to have to fit up a lady with ECOMRRIC OOO Ss (GO)