The Argosy — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

42 Selina Radcliffe's Home. On the fifth day she was so much better that it seemed little short of a miracle. They found her in the Pine Room early, up and dressed: when Holt went in to light the fire, she was looking over the two books that lay on the round table. One of them was the Bible; the other was a translation of the German tale “‘ Sintram,” which Francis had brought her when he came down the last summer. ‘The story had taken hold of her imagination, and she nearly knew it by heart. Down stairs went Holt, and told them that the mistress (for, con- tradictory though it may seem, Selina had been always accorded that title) had taken a ‘‘ new lease of life,” and was getting well. Becca, astonished, went stalking up: perhaps she was afraid it might be true. Selina had ‘ Sintram ” in her hand as she sat: her eyes looked bright, her cheeks pink, her voice was improved. “Oh,” said Becca. ‘ What have you left your bed for at this early hour P” “‘T feel so.well,” Selina answered with a smile, letting the book lie open on the table. ‘‘Won’t you shake hands with me?—and—and kiss me?” Now Becca had never BN her in all the years they had lived together, and she did not seem to care about beginning now. “I'll go down and beat you up an egg anda spoonful of wine,” said she, just touching the tips of Selina’s fingers, in response to the held-out hand: and, with that, got away. Stephen was the only one who did not pay the Pine Room a visit that day. He heard of the surprising change while he was feeding the pigs : for Becca went out and told him. Stephen splashed some wash over the side of the trough, and gave a little pig a smack with the bucket, and that was all his answer. Old Radcliffe sat ; an hour in the room; but he never spoke all the while: so his company could not be considered as much. Selina crept as far as the window, and looked out on the bare j pines and the other dreary trees. Most trees are dreary in November. Francis saw a shiver take her as_she stood, leaning on the window frame ; and he went to give her his arm and bring her back again. They were by themselves then. | “ A week, or so, of this improvement, mother, and you will be as you used to be,” said he cheerfully, seating her on the sofa and stirring up the fire. ‘‘ We shall have our home together yet.” She turned her face full on his, as he sat down by her; a half questioning, half-wondering look in her eyes. “ Not in this world, Francis. Surely you are not deceived !” and his over-sanguine heart went down like lead. “Ttis but the flickering-up of the spirit before it finally quits the — weary frame ; just as you may have seen the flame shoot up from an expiring candle,” she continued. ‘“ The end is very near now.” m Gomicbooks.co