The Argosy — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

Winnifred Dee. qaN “Tt was in this way,” said the girl. “One day, when he came in to change a book, I was writing to London to order a parcel of books down. He suddenly said that perhaps my agent in London would be good enough to procure him a new medical work that had recently been published : it would save the trouble of having it sent direct to him- self. Yes, I said, and it would perhaps save him also a few shillings by way of discount. ‘The book came in my parcel; it was a very expensive one in two volumes, nearly three guineas, J think. Mr. Probert gave me that five-pound note in payment, and I returned him the change.” “Those wicked scandal-mongers !” mentally groaned Mrs. Sims. “Mr. Probert used to come in to change books ?” she said aloud. “Yes, ma’am, often ; nearly every other day. He should be lost, he said, without a good book of fiction to relax his mind with at the close of day. ‘There is nothing like it, he thinks, for relieving a tired brain. Lately he has not had time to read.” . “Tl not question her about the other, which that Jemima Raddle tells of—I should be ashamed to,” decided Mrs. Sims. And she dropped the subject for one of pleasantness, speaking words of peace and consolation. When she carried her report home to her husband, and told him her conviction—that Winnifred Dee was pure and innocent as the day—Mr. Sims put on his top-coat and hat, and went out to makea call upon the Doctor. ‘Have I been in the habit of visiting Winnifred Dee late in the evening P—Why, what on earth do you mean, Sims ?” demanded the surgeon, in reply to a question or two which had astonished him. “Did you mever go to her house late at night—for any purpose— ten or eleven or twelve o’clock; I don’t know exactly what time. To change books, say—or on some other errand 2” ‘ Never.” “Tt is said you did.” “But I tell you I did not. Who says it ?” “Miss Jemima Raddle affirms she saw you. I had better repeat to you all that is being said,” continued the clergyman ; “ indeed, I have no alternative now but to sift the matter to the bottom.” And, drawing his chair nearer, he forthwith told the whole. Mr. Probert responded by a few strong words, calling the ladies anything but angels, especially Miss Jemima. In the midst of this tirade, against which the clergyman mildly put up his hand in protest, he suddenly stopped short. “Stay a bit,” said he, after a pause; “I see it now. Says, does she, the old jade, that she saw me come stealing down the street— stealing, forsooth !—and look up at Winnifred Dee’s bedroom window, and then knock at the door, and go in when I was admitted? Well, 1t same” ene |” CON (9) LNOOKS,.EO