Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

262 interest in life if I assist you in this search.” ‘Come with me now, sir. It 1s early yet, and you will see nobody but me. I am all alone in the great house, sir. Will you come with me? - It will give me great pleasure.” ‘ After I have eaten I will go to the house, if it will do you so much good. You may tell me how to find it.” Ah, sir, if you would but come with me now and let me prepare supper for you, just as I would do for my master. You are so like him, that I will feel I am doing it for him. It will make me very glad. You will come?” Ashton thought a moment. “Yes, if it will please you so much to deceive yourself, and you are sure that there are not others there.” ‘There is only one other person, sir, and she never leaves her room.” “Very well. If.I can do anybody any good, it will be a pleasant diver- sion,” Ashton raised one hand in signal to a hansom and motioned for Robert to enter. . “Shall I ride with you, sir?” he asked, hesitatingly. “By all means. Tell cabby where to take us, and get inside.” Robert was so overjoyed by the suc- cess of his efforts that he could scarce- ly speak and his voice trembled when he gave the address to the driver, but THE ARGOSY. they were soon on their way, and in a very short time were set down at the door of the house to which the young earl had taken his happy bride, one year ago that very day. “ Wait, sir,” said Robert, suddenly, remembering that Lady Mercy might be at the window, and recognize his companion as he had done. The shock might kill her, or upset her reason, and it must be avoided. “ We will drive to the side door, if you do not mind.” “ Anything, Robert; anywhere. makes no difference to me.” “Shall I take you to my own cozy room, sir, where I pass most of my time, or would you prefer to go to the library?” asked Robert, as they en- tered the house. “Your own room, Robert.” “Yes, sir. This way, then, if you please. It is pleasant in here. I am very fond of this room, for it was once my master’s playroom. Will you take that chair? We won't try to talk yet, sir, until I have prepared some supper for you. Your presence makes me very happy, sir; more happy than I have been for a year; happier than I ever was in my life, I think. Oh, Jack, Jack, my boy Jack, don’t you know me yet?” Ashton raised his eyes half angrily, but he saw that tears were running down the old man’s cheeks, and he did not reply. Then Robert turned and left the room. It (To be continued.) THE SILENT CITY. GRASS grew at will in every empty street, And roses bloomed on every garden wall, And sweetbrier climbed with dear and noiseless feet; One almost thought to hear the blossoms fal’ Or the bright moonlight, as it shone apace, It was so silent in that wondrous place. From Major Byers’ song,‘ Sherman's March to the Sea,” descriptive of Atlanta after the EVACUGLION. ECOMRRIC Oe CO