The Argosy — page 315: what you’re looking at

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

296 Iwo Dreams. with her hand in his, and her head on his shoulder, she could feel no fear. It was once more the beginning of August, when, one bright morning, Launce unexpectedly received a summons to join his regiment; a court-martial, or some duty equally important, required his presence. Poor Effie wandered about the house like an unqulet spirit after his departure. At length, a bright thought struck her. ‘Mother, this would be the very time for my visit to the Holts. Let me send a telegram to say I will arrive to-morrow. ‘They have always begged me i“ come at a moment’s notice, and I may not be able to go later on.’ " But they have people arn with them,” objected Mrs. Perceval. “Never mind; they will put me up somehow. Do let me go.” “Very well, dear,” agreed her mother, rather reluctantly; to oppose any wish of Effie’s was an impossibility to her. ‘You must take Susan with you.” ‘Oh, yes; and my diamonds,” laughed Effie. ‘‘ Do you remem- ber I was to have taken them last year to show Mrs. Holt. She was so envious at my good luck in having them left to me; ‘a chit lke you,’ I remember she said.” Mrs. Perceval rejoiced to find that all remembrance of the shock her daughter had sustained a year ago seemed blotted out of her mind. No painful thoughts appeared to linger of that interrupted visit to the Priory. “Well, Effie, send off your telegram, then; but you need not say your diamonds will accompany you,” she added, laughing. Effie flew up to the httle village post-office, and dashed off the following message :— “T am coming to-morrow for a few days, unless you telegraph back to the contrary.” In the evening Mrs. Perceval inquired if she had received an answer. ‘““Oh, no; I told them not to answer unless they could not have me.” Still I wonder you have not heard,” returned her mother; but Effie was quite sure it was all right, so no more was said. Next morning she was up early, putting the finishing strokes to her packing, laughing and singing, apparently in the highest spirits. “Good-bye, darling mother. I shall write to you to-morrow. Isn't it odd ? it was this very day, August fourth, that we were to have gone to the Holts last year.” Still no painful reminiscences: on the sub- ject. Her mother kissed and blessed her, preached care and caution, and so they parted. On arriving at X—-— station, Effie was somewhat surprised to find that no vehicle awaited her from the Priory; however, as she was able to procure a fly without any difficulty, the omission was of EONNIELOIOOKS EO)