The Argosy — page 284: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Raven’s Temptation. 265 “This is Detting,” observed Philip presently, as the train stopped at a dirty little platform, and the stranger and Frank both looked out. “Here they collect the tickets for Coltburn,” continued Philip, getting his own ready. ‘And here”—and he made a dive at a small newspaper boy, shouting on the platform—‘‘here is the dear old Coltburn News ,; with all its advertisements of desirable and elegant villas close to the railway station, and of eligible and promising servants with three months’ bad character from their last place. Let us see what’s going on. We generally have some sort of entertain- ment on the wing—negro minstrels, or a fat pig, or something else, to enliven the natives.” Philip ran his eyes over the paper, turning it from side to side. Suddenly an amused expression, blended with surprise, lighted up his face. “Ha! here’s fun! We shall have some sport with this, Frank. Listen. “¢¢ Arrived in Coltburn: the Great Oriental Mystery, and lineal successor of the Delphic Oracle, Madame Allebasi Elah! Who can look into the Past, see into the Future, and answer questions concerning things you wish to know. In your own interest, lose no time in consulting her. Interviews granted, 5s.—Private houses visited, 10s. 6¢@. At home between 12 and 4, at Daylight Villa, Coltburn. All letters promptly attended to.’ “What a spree we'll have with her!” was Philip’s delighted comment, as he looked up from the paper. ‘She'll tell our fortunes for us, Frank—and no doubt promise me the Lord-Chancellorship.” ‘TI wish she could tell mine—really,” answered Frank. “We will go to her, old boy. ’Twill be a break in the proprieties of home, if nothing else. Mind, though, we shall have to keep it dark from the governor. And now here we are,” broke off Philip, as the train steamed into the station: “and here are Percy and Louisa —brought forth by my telegram. Did they expect you also by this train?” he asked, turning to Learll. “‘T think so,” said the young man in a faint voice. He looked paler than ever now, perhaps in contrast to the vivid bloom of Louisa Connell, who greeted him almost before the train had stopped. She was a tall, handsome girl, with a slight Raven look about her, in- herited from her mother. Even dispirited Frank felt that it would be pleasant if she seemed glad to see him—as glad as she was to see young Learli, for instance. Percy Connell was but a new edition of Philip, and was instantly on the easiest terms with the cousin he had never in his life seen before. Both the sister and the brother pressed their invitations on the Italian. ~“Tt’s a downright sell that you are not coming home with us altogether,” said Percy. ‘““Can’t you be induced to come even yet ?” pleaded Louisa. “ Are not Philip and—our cousin—extra attractions ?” COnmmicoooks.com