The Argosy — page 338: what you’re looking at

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

A Dream from Feaven. 317 gradually downwards, so that*often he and his had literally wanted bread. “Ay,” said Mr. Phelps. ‘It’s just what those mining schemes and other such delusions often bring a man to. Has it cured you of specu- lating, Mr. Grainger ? ” “Cured me!” repeated Adam with unnecessary emphasis. ‘I would rather take a clerkship at a hundred a year, though I knew I’ should have no rise from it in life, than embark in the best speculation that ever was set afloat. I have a fear of speculation now, sir.” “You regret your post with us, I suppose ? ” Adam Grainger turned away his face. ‘The remark told on his stricken heart. Of all the mistaken actions of his past life, the throwing up of that post was the one that brought him most remorse, the one he could least bear to recal. ‘“Would you lke to come back to us?” asked the old gentleman, detecting the emotion, and breaking a somewhat long silence. Adam Grainger turned his head, half startled at the words. ‘“ S772?” ‘“‘T don’t see why you should not, Grainger. To tell the truth, we have never been well suited since you left us. Smith, who succeeded you, came into a fortune, and threw up the post ; and Macpherson, who stepped in after him, has lapsed into bad habits. Drinks, in fact. At a meeting of the board yesterday, it was determined to discharge him.” Adam Grainger could not speak. The vista opening to him, uncer- tain though it yet was, took away all power. “T don’t promise it you absolutely,” went on Mr. Phelps. “TI must speak to the directors first. But I think I can arrange it. Iam chair- man now poor Gatherby’s gone, you know; and a great deal les with me. There’s nobody would do for us so well as you. But mind, Grainger : you'd not begin again at twelve hundred a year. Macpherson has but nine.’ Adam Grainger turned. His face was working, his trembling smu took those of old Mr. Phelps, his voice was broken with emotion, as he strove to say what the suggested hope was to him. The tears were run- ning down his cheeks. “Well, well, we'll see,” said the kind old director, coughing down some feeling of his own. “I don’t undertake to promise it at once ; but—we’'ll see.” The tone and words bore their full assurance to the listener, and Adam Grainger felt as certain that the wonderful re-instalment would take place, the former forfeited prosperity be his again, as though he had that moment held it in his hand. And he knew that this was the one beautiful ray of brightness, that he had seen on is way to him in the dream, Several years went by. Prosperity was theirs again. Ona sunny GOMilGsdoo mM