The Argosy — page 293: what you’re looking at

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274 Mr. Landon, love with his pretty, shy Mabel, as everybody might see. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton were delighted with him ; the girls and children adored him. And Mabel? Mabel was happy. Sometimes she forgot those strange occurrences ; sometimes she almost persuaded herself they had only existed in her own fancy, and had not really happened. Mrs. Middleton watched her a little anxiously for a time, and then felt satisfied that all was right. Mr. Landon was eager that the wedding- day should be fixed, and, as there really was no reason for delay, September was spoken of, and then August, after the custom of those who have to fix wedding-days. It was now near the end of June. IIl. Maset happened to come down stairs a little earlier than usual one morning, and, passing the door of her father’s study, heard an odd noise inside. ‘The door stood half open, and she peeped in. She saw a sight which I daresay she never forgot as long as she lived. Mr. Landon was there by himself, and was, in a quiet, solemn manner, dancing about the room, and making the same shocking contortions of countenance that had so frightened her on two former occasions. She gave a little scream, and, without pausing for a second, turned round and rushed upstairs into her mother’s room, which she entered breathless and panting. Mrs. Middleton, who was occupied in putting the finishing touches to her simple morning toilet, was very much astonished by her daughter’s appearance. “TI cannot bear it, mamma! I cannot bear it!” Mabel cried, in great agitation. ‘“‘ What is it, my love? what has happened ?” “Mr. Landon, mamma. Oh, what shall I do?” and she wrung her hands helplessly. ‘‘ My dear, you have not quarrelled, surely! Oh, I hope not!” ‘Quarrelled? No, no, mamma; but it 1s so dreadful, so odd! He— But I can’t tell you. Come and see yourself.” Mrs. Middleton silently followed her daughter down stairs, who led her straight into the study, where they found Mr. Landon sitting in the easy-chair reading the newspaper. He got up, smiling and cheerful as ever. | “So,” he said, ‘you have discovered me? What will the Rector say? I actually strolled in here to read yesterday’s newspaper ; for when this young lady is with me I find politics impossible. Oh, Mabel, you have a great deal to answer for!” ‘What is it, Mr. Landon ?” said the mother anxiously. He looked surprised. ‘The Zzmes,” he replied, after a minute, holding the paper out to her. ‘I was reading the foreign news.” ‘“Why did you bring me here, Mabel?” asked Mrs, Middleton. Gomicbooks,Go