The Argosy — page 97: 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. ‘So, my dear uncle, should you happen to hear of any eligible — individual who would be content to pass his days among the dull but respectable commonplaces of English country life, pray try to secure him as a tenant forPark Newton, and render grateful for ever—your affectionate nephew, KESTER St. GEORGE. “P.S. You say nothing in your note as to the state of your health. May I take it in this case that no news is good news, and that you are Stronger and better than when I saw you last? I hope so with all my heart.” To this General St. George sent the following answer : | “ Dear Nephew,—/ will become the tenant of Park Newton. If one member of the family doesn’t choose to live there, all the more reason why another should. No stranger shall call the old roof-tree his home while I am alive. JI am better in health, thank Heaven, and you will probably see me in England before Christmas.—Yours, “‘ARTHUR St. GEORGE.” In taking this step General St. George was guided as much by Richard Dering’s wishes as by his own inclinations in the matter. “ Nothing could have fallen out more opportunely for the purpose I have in view,” Richard had said to him when the advertisement was first noticed. ‘‘T can’t see in what way it will assist your views for you to immure yourself at Park Newton,” said the General. “‘T shall be there, on the spot itself,” answered Richard ; “ and that seems to me one of the first essentials.” “ Vou fairly puzzle me,” said the General, with a shake of the head. «‘T can’t see what more you can do than you have done already. It seems to me like groping in the dark.” “Vou are right, uncle—it is like groping in the dark. And yet I feel as sure as that I am standing here at the present moment that sooner or later a ray of light will be vouchsafed to me from somewhere. As to when and how it will come, I know nothing; but that it will come, if I clothe my soul with patience, I never for one moment doubt.” “My poorboy! But why not let well alone? You are wasting your life in the chase of a phantom. Be content with what you have achieved already.” ‘«¢ Neyer—never—so help me Heaven! I will go on groping in the dark, as you call it, till in that dark I clutch my enemy’s hand—and drag out of it into the full light of day the man on BAoRG head lies the innocent blood of Percy Osmond.” ‘© waste of youth, of hope, of hens said the old soldier sadly. ‘For me there is neither youth, nor hope, nor happiness, till my task is accomplished. Uncle Arthur, I have set myself to do this thing, and no power on earth can move me from it.” Neomicbooks-co