The Argosy — page 287: what you’re looking at

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

2608 Mr. Landon. “Mr. Landon, mamma,” whispered Mabel softly, as a shy, happy fairy might breathe the name of her lover. The clergyman’s wife stood as one stunned. She had fallen back from her daughter, and gazed at her with wide-opened, unbelieving eyes. Mr. Landon!” she cried. ‘That charming man whom eyery- one was In love with P” Mabel laughed; raised her blushing face, and threw back her sunny curls with the old saucy movement her mother knew so well. “Yes,” she said. ‘‘ But then you see, mamma, He liked only—wie.” “That rich man!” said Mrs. Middleton; and it is to her credit that ‘iat was only her second thought and that she hastily added, ‘And so clever and delightful in every way—at least, so your aunt said, Mabel.” “Indeed he is,” replied the girl, at once earnestly and bashfully. “He is everything that is amiable and charming and good—nobody seemed able to admire or like him enough. And he is richer than anybody we ever heard of; mamma, except papa’s old pupil, Lord Eversham.” “It is a very short acquaintance, my Mabel.” “Yes, it is,” gravely and thoughtfully; ‘“‘but that does not always signify, does it, mamma? You may be years knowing some people, and some you know in a minute.” ‘And did he pay you a great deal of attention, Mabel ?” “I don’t really know, mamma. It never occurred to me that he cared for me until yesterday. I happened to be alone in the con- servatory, and he happened to come in—and then—then—then— he told me he loved me. And so it was all settled, and Aunt Letty was delighted, and said you and papa ought to jump for joy.” ‘“‘T’m sure, my darling, we are as glad and thankful as possible—at least I am, and so will papa be when he hears about it. And where is his home, dearest? Where will my Mabel have to live ?” “T don’t know one bit, mamma; I never thought about that. But here’s a letter to papa from Aunt Letty; perhaps that will tell more about him, and he is coming here himself to-morrow.” ‘To-morrow ! Oh my goodness, Mabel! and there’s nothing in the house fit for his dinner. It is such a time of year: lamb ts still so dear, and as for chickens—well now, really I don’t know what we can have.” “Oh, never mind, mamma, I don’t think he cares a bit what he eats. He has been a great deal abroad, you know, in Russia and Siberia, and those sort of places, where people can’t afford to be particular; and he is not coming to stay in the house—Aunt Letty settled all ¢za¢ with him. He will take a bed at the Crown, and just be in and out—and I know you'll like him directly, and that you won’t mind him, he is so amiable and bright.” ‘‘And are his parents living? Has he any brothers and sisters ?” Gomichbooks m