The Argosy — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

- Parkwater. 149 like—you cannot pretend to think it is an innocent, Platonic sort of affair,” said Mr. Lyvett, his mouth curling with scorn. ‘“‘ Innocent, sir, in one sense. I believe Mr. Fred’s intentions to that girl are as honourable as ever yours were to Mrs. Lyvett. Had I thought it less serious, I don’t know that I should have troubled you.” Mr. Lyvett sat and played with his watch-seals—which he wore in the old-fashioned manner, hanging down from a heavy, straight chain. ‘‘Fred was always the fool of the family,” he angrily uttered: but at another time he would not have said it. ‘‘ Well, we must see what can be done. Harsh measures, in these cases, seldom answer. I am much obliged to you, Rowley.” Harsh measures seldom do answer, and Mr. Lyvett was a better diplomatist. Within a day or two, it was known throughout the house that Mr. Frederick was fixed upon to go to Valparaiso. Lyvett, Castle. rosse, and Lyvett were the agents for an important house there; and some business had ansen which rendered it expedient that.one of the firm should proceed thither. This was actually the case, and Mr. Lyvett had been thinking of despatching his elder son. Frederick Lyvett scarcely knew whether to be pleased or annoyed. When his father called him into his private room and blandly informed him that he and Mr. Castlerosse had come to the decision to despatch him on this important mission, he felt transfixed with wonder. Were there no Sophia May to intrude herself into his thoughts, he would have been gratified beyond measure. Buta young man’s desire for adventure overcame even his love : besides, he often heard Sophia sing the words “ Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” and believed it. ‘* You will have to be off to-morrow, Frederick.” “To-morrow !” repeated the startled young man. ‘You must catch the out-going mail packet.” ‘‘ But—but my traps, father! I must have an outfit.” ‘Oh, they are easily got together,” said Mr. Lyvett. ‘You can do all that to-day.” And Frederick found it had to be so. He had barely time that night to wish his lady-love farewell, and to vow to her eternal fidelity. Away he went in high spirits; not a care or doubt on his mind as to the future. His only remonstrance to his father had been in regard to his “traps,” that there was not enough time to get them together. However, the time was made to be sufficient ; and he and his traps were escorted by Mr. Lyvett himself to the port of embarkation, and on to the good ship, Zhe Skimmer of the South, then making ready to put to sea. Fred never dreamt that he was sent away with a motive—that his father knew as much about his private affairs as himself. Sophia May was stunned by the blow. A suspicion of the truth— that something had been discovered—lay upon her; and she fully ECOMRRIC OOO Ss (GO)