The Argosy — page 336: what you’re looking at

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

A Rare Case. 319 nounced his coming. ‘The first day his health admitted of it, he set out alone for England. Such was the story; one that Adam himself knew only in part, being ignorant of his mother’s share in it. When Drew had told of his efforts to seek Adam, and had mentioned that no letter had reached Mattie, Adam was at no loss to understand at once the part his mother had played. But he never spoke of it, then or at any future time. The house door at Stonedene stood ajar; evening had closed in now, and the chilly fog was still abroad, but the figure at the gate was dimly discernible. Adam hastened his steps. “For heaven’s sake, sir, be careful! the suddenness of it might turn her brain,” cried Drew, laying a detaining hand upon the arm of his companion. Adam gently shook him off. “‘Suddenness,” he repeated. ‘‘ Aye, it is sudden to you—and to Mrs. Bankes. I was sorry, by the way, that the delft plates were broken—but for me and for Mattie whose thoughts are day and night, night and day full of each other, how can it be sudden ?” Drew stood still, and Adam went on alone, until his footsteps became audible and Mattie turned her head to see him standing at her side. Adam had been right; no fear was there for Mattie’s brain. All excitement, all surprise and wonder came afterwards; at that first supreme moment, and with a satisfied sigh, as of a child who has got all it wants, Mattie held out her arms to him, with one word— ‘* Husband !” As Adam drew her to him it was not only the mist, or the darken- ing evening that blinded Drew so that for a moment or two he saw neither of them. People say Drew’s luck has turned from the day Stonedene found atenant. It is newly done up and prettily furnished now; Mr. and Mrs. Armitage come down there once or twice a year, with their children, for a breath of sea air and to visit old friends. COMIC OOO S (C©) im