The Argosy — page 318: what you’re looking at

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

304 Parkwaier. glanced, as the eyes of many ladies will glance, to the top of its second column. There was only one mysterious advertisement to-day, and that she proceeded to read aloud, in what she meant for a merry tone. Poor thing ! she strove to keep up at least a semblance of good feeling between herself and her husband, but hers was a hard lot. Onewitha less enduring spint would not have borne it. “¢ The Corsair. A letter awaits him at the old address. Something has occurred, Send for it without deday. Toujours triste, a la sonnette.’ ‘What nonsense they do‘ put in!” she exclaimed. “I wonder whether the persons these notices are meant for ever see them or understand them ?” She looked at her husband, and was astonished at the expression of his eyes. They were strained on her with a half-incredulous, half- angry glare. Not so much meant for her—at least she thought so— as for what she had read. Had she offended him by reading it? ‘“‘ What is the matter, Theodore? ” she timidly asked. The Colonel recovered his countenance. ‘ Matter? Nothing. What should there be?” ‘You were looking at me so fiercely.” ‘¢ Well I might be, to hear you read aloud that folly.” Her eyelids drooped, drooped to conceal the indignant tears ; but she was patient still, and did not retort. He seized his pipe with the fine name, crammed it full of tobacco, lighted it, and puffed out as much smoke as he could puff, probably with the hope of driving her away; but it was his usual mode of smoking. It had the effect desired, and she left the room. The instant she had departed he took the supplement, and devoured the very lines she had read aloud. ‘Cursed bother!” he muttered. ‘‘ I must send for that letter, now ! I thought all annoyance from that quarter was over and done with. What ‘something’ has occurred? Unless—— I hope it has!” He was still gazing at the lines, as if the gazing at them would solve the enigma, when a servant-maid came into the room. ‘Lady Harriet has sent me to ask if you will please step into the nursery, Colonel ?” ‘What for? ” ‘“ The little girl is ill, sir.” ‘¢ What good can I do if she is?” ‘“‘ Her ladyship thought——” **T can’t come yet ; I am busy,” he interrupted. “ Leave the room.” Yet it was his own child! That the advertisement was addressed to him, “ The Corsair,” he well knew, and he took steps to obey its behest, and have the letter from the old address, which was one in town, conveyed to him. It reached him safely. And if you are curious to see its contents, good reader, here they are: CORnniclooolkks (CO)