The Argosy — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

§2 In the Dead of Night. especially as he did not come to her in the disagreeable guise of a poor man. Tears came into her eyes as she held out her hand to him— genuine tears, for Mrs. Garside was one of those women who can weep on the slightest provocation. ‘It will be like new life to our darling Edith to have news of you once more,” she said. “Then she has not quite forgotten me?” said Lionel, eagerly. “ Forgotten you, Mr. Dering! How little you know of our sex if you think it possible for us so soon to forget those to whom our young affections have once been given.” . ‘“‘Ts she-—is Edith here in the house?” asked Lionel. «She was in her own room only five minutes ago. I can understand your impatience, Mr. Dering, and will not keep you from her. I have refrained from saying a word to her about either your note or your visit. You shall yourself be the bearer of your own good tidings.” Three minutes later Lionel found himself in the presence of Edith. Mrs. Garside opened the door and ushered him in. ‘The room was a very pleasant one, furnished with books, pictures, and curiosities of various kinds. At the farther end it opened into a small conservatory, which looked one dazzling mass of bloom as you entered the room. And there, sweetest flower of all, sat Edith, her face and figure clearly defined against a background of delicate ferns. ‘« Edith, dear, I have brought a long-lost friend to see you,” said Mrs. Garside, as she and Lionel entered. Edith dropped her book, and started up in surprise. Lionel was half hidden behind Mrs. Garside, and for the moment Edith mistook him for a stranger. But he had not advanced three paces before she saw who he was, and ina moment she was as one transformed. Her mouth dimpled into smiles, tears came nestling into her eyes—tears of happiness—her heart beat fast, her cheeks flushed to the tint of the wild rose when its petals first open to the sun, and with a little inarticu- late cry of joy she sprang forward to greet her lover. She sprang forward, and then she halted suddenly, while a look of sadness clouded her face fora moment. With a sigh that ended in a half sob she held out her hand. Lionel grasped it in both his. ‘“‘How long you have been away!” she said as her eyes met his. Mrs. Garside slipped discreetly out of the room, and shut the door softly behind her. Lionel lifted Edith’s hand to his hps and kissed it. ‘Then he looked at her with the same eager, anxious gaze that she had bent on him—he looked and was satisfied. His heart told him that he was still loved as fondly as ever he had been. Edith, too, after that first hungry look, veiled her eyes modestly, but there was a wild whirl of happiness at her heart. Lionel drew her face up to his, and kissed her twice very tenderly. ‘Then he led her to the sofa, and sat down beside her. — “Yes ; I have been a very long time away,” he said at last. “But I. Gomichbooks.co