The Argosy — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

184 Court Netherleigh. ‘““T am grieved to see you in this frame of mind, Adela.” “Frame of mind! Iam only saying what’s true, Aunt Margery. I’m sure one would think he had taken the whole business of the world upon his shoulders. —He is being asked to stand for some © county or other now.’ ‘Yes, he is playing an active part on the world’s stage,” assented Miss Margery. ‘‘ All honour to him that it is so! Do you suppose that one, wise and conscientious as he is, would put aside his duties to God and man because his heart has been well-nigh broken by a heartless wife? Rather would he be the more earnest in fulfilling them. Busy occupation will enable him to forget the past sooner and more effectually than anything else would.” “To forget me, I suppose you mean, Aunt Margery.” “Would you wish him to remember you, Adela—and what you have been to him? [I tell you, child, that my whole heart aches for your husband; it ached long before you left him ; while—I must say it—it was full of condemnatory resentment against you. I am very sorry for you, Adela; you are my god-daughter, and I will try my best, while you stay with me, to soothe your wounds and reconcile you to this inevitable change. It has tried you; I see that in spite of your pretended carelessness; you appear to me to be anything but strong.” ‘Tam not strong, Aunt Margery. And if I dwindle away into the grave, I don’t suppose anybody will miss me or regret me.” “The best thing for her, perhaps, poor child—that she should be removed from this hopelessly blighted life by her compassionate Heavenly Father to the bright and beautiful life above! And her husband, released from his trammels, would then probably find that comfort in a second wife which he missed in her. Who knows but this may be God’s purpose P_ He is over all.” Was Margery Upton unaware that these words were spoken in a murmur—not mentally thought? Most probably. They reached Adela ; and a keen, curious pang shot through her heart. But the butler came into the room at the moment to interrupt, bringing a message to his mistress. One of her tenants had called and wished very much to be allowed a short interview with her. And Miss Upton, who was still able to attend at times to worldly matters, quitted the room at once. A faint cry escaped Lady Adela as the door closed. She turned her face upon the sofa cushion, and burst into a flood of distressing tears. (Zo be continued. ) ECOPMICLIOO KS, (Eo)