The Argosy — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

108 Verena Fontaine’s Rebellion. And, the morning following this, Mrs. Betty Huntsman got a letter from London. ** London, Thursday. “DEAR OLD BETTY,—I am writing to you for papa, who is very poorly indeed. Should Colonel Letsom apply to you for our address here, you are to give 1t him: papa wishes him to have it. We hope your wrist 1s better. ‘ CORALIE FONTAINE.” Betty Huntsman, honest herself, never supposed but the letter was written by Miss Fontaine. By and by, there came a ring at the bell. ‘My uncle, Colonel Letsom, requested me to call here this morn- ing, as I was passing on my way to Timberdale Rectory,” began Mr. Pym; for it was he who rang, and by his authoritative voice and lordly manner, one might have thought he was on board a royal frigate, commanding a cargo of refractory soldiers. ‘“Ves, sir?” answered Betty, dropping a curtsey. ‘‘Colonel Letsom wants your master’s address in London—if you can give it him. He has to write to Sir Dace to-day.” Betty produced a card from her innermost pocket, and showed it to Mr. Pym: who carefully copied down the address. That he was on his way to Timberdale Rectory, was of a ruse. He went on there through the ravine at the top of his speed, and asked for Captain Tanerton. ‘‘ Have got orders to join ship, sir, and am going up this morning. Any commands ?” ‘To join what ship ?” questioned Jack. “The Lose of Delft. She is beginning to load.” Jack paused. ‘‘Of course you must go up, as you are sent for. But I don’t think you will go out in the Rose of Delhi, Mr. Pym. I should recommend you to look out for another ship.” “Time enough for that, Captain Tanerton, when I get my dis- charge from the Rose of Delhi: I have not got it yet,” returned Pym, who seemed to take a private delight in thwarting his captain. ‘Well, I shall be in London myself shortly, and will see about things,” spoke Jack. ‘Any commands, sir ?” ‘““ Not at present.” Taking his leave of Colonel and Mrs. Letsom, and thanking them for their hospitality, Edward Pym departed for London by an after- noon train. He left his promises and vows to the young Letsoms, boys and girls, to come down again at the close of the next voyage, little dreaming, poor ill-fated young man, that he would never go upon another. Captain Tanerton wrote at once to head quarters in Liverpool, saying he did not wish to retain Pym as chief mate, and would like another one to be appointed. Strolling back to Timber- dale Rectory from posting the letter at Salmon’s, John Tanerton fell into a brown study. ECORNIEOO_ KS. (eon ae.