The Argosy — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

Selina Radcliffe’s Home. 27 governess. The Elliots were of good descent and Selina had been thoroughly well educated ; but of money she had just none. Old Mrs. Todhetley bid her not be in any hurry ; she was welcome to stay as long as she liked at Dyke Manor. So Selina stayed. It was summer weather then, and she was out and about in the open air all day long: a slight girl, in deep mourning, with a shrinking air that was natural to her. One afternoon she came in, her bright face all aglow, and her shy eyes eager. Soft brown eyes they were, that had always a sadness in them. I—a little shaver—can remember that, when I knew her in later years. As she sat down on the stool at Mrs. Todhetley’s feet, she took off her black straw hat, and began to play nervously with its crape ends. “ My dear, you seem to be in a heat,”’ said Mrs. Todhetley ; 3a stout old lady, who sat all day long in her easy chair. ‘Ves, Iran home fast,” said Selina. “ Home from whence? Where have you been?” ‘¢T was—near the Torr,” replied Selina, with hesitation. “Near the Torr, child! ‘That’s a long way for you to go strolling alone.” ‘The wild roses in the hedges there are so lovely,” pleaded Selina. “‘That’s why I took to go there at first.” ‘Took to go there!” repeated the old lady, thinking it an odd phrase. ‘‘ Do you see anything of the Torr people? I hope you've not been making intimate with young Stephen Radcliffe,” she added, a thought darting into her mind. ‘¢ Stephen ? that’s the son. No, I never saw him. I think he is away from home.” ) “That’s well. He is by all accounts but a churlish lout of a fellow.” , Selina Elliot bent her timid face over the hat, stroking its ribbons with her restless fingers. She was evidently ill at ease. Glancing up presently, she saw the old lady was shutting her eyes for a doze: and that hastened her communication. ‘¢ TI want to tell you something, please, ma’am. But—I don’t like to begin.” And, with that, Selina burst into unexpected tears, and the alarmed old lady looked up. “Why, what ails you, child. Are you hurt? Has a wasp been at you?” “Oh no,” said Selina, brushing the tears away with fingers that trembled all over. “ I—if you please—I think I am going to live at the Torr.” The old lady wondered whether Selina was dreaming. ‘At the Torr!” said she. ‘“‘ There are no children at the Torr. They don’ want a governess at the Torr.” GOMIIG DOG SS) (C(O)