The Argosy — page 332: what you’re looking at

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

A Dream from L[lfeaven. 311 Algernon! Isabel! Caroline! Walter! obey your mother in all things ; and, when you grow up, cherish and support her better than I have been able to do. I would steal up-stairs, and kiss farewell to you in your unconscious slumbers, but that my heartstrings would break with the effort. Margaret, when they are of an age to hear it, pray to them to forgive their father: tell them it was for them, for you, that his sufferings became unbearable. Alone in the world he could have borne and braved all. God bless you all! Margaret, my only love, farewell for ever! At this moment Mrs. Grainger suddenly returned to the room, several things in her hands. “Look here, Adam, I have broken-in the cork. That’s the fault of the fork. What avast many things we shall want when we go into real housekeeping again! Had any one offered mea present of a cork- screw this morning, I should have declined it as having no use for one.” “Why, what are you going to do?” he asked. ‘‘ What’s that hot water for Pp ” “To make some brandy-and-water. I boiled it up on some of Jemima’s wood. We shall relish our supper of dry bread now, but it was terribly dry before. We must dispense with sugar, Adam.” “T don’t want any brandy-and-water,” he returned, speaking irritably, for he was vexed at these interruptions. ‘‘I have some writing to do, and wish to be alone.” ‘Do your writing to-morrow. We will keep festival to-night. It is not often we have French brandy to keep it on. What a treat after our wretched day!” “IT never knew before that you cared for brandy-and-water, Margaret.” “Oh, Adam, you know I never have. But in our poor condition, our need of nourishment, it seems like a godsend. I think I can understand how it is that the very poor so often take to drinking, Their physical need induces it.” Something called her again from the room. In his infatuation he determined not to lose a moment. He lifted the handkerchief, and grasped the razor. Still not in time, for her hand was heard too soon on the handle,of the door. He dashed the dangerous weapon back again with a muttered word ; it might have been a curse; and, taking up the brandy bottle, shook it about and pretended to be looking through it; anything to hide his confusion, coward that he was. She happened to glance at him as she set down the glasses. and a plate of bread, and was startled. “Adam! how strange you look! Quite wild. Are-you ill?— feverish ?” : “T think I am,” he groaned, relinquising the bottle, and pressing his hands upon his temples. COIN ) NOOKS mM