The Argosy — page 296: what you’re looking at

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

Mr. Landon. 277 “ Well,” he said, ‘‘of course, I didn’t mean exactly ¢hat. What I meant was—or rather what I should expect—that is—in fact—-—” “Tn fact, you don’t know what you add mean,” said the Rector ; *‘no more does Mabel either, I imagine. Well, well, she’ll pass a day like other people to-day, and will miss Mr. Landon’s devotion not a little, I imagine. But I am glad Dr. Philpotts pronounces there is nothing the matter with her.” Mabel taught the children, played with Isabel, chattered with her sisters, made a cake for tea, and, before the early dinner-tin e, had quite recovered her composure. Mr. Landon returned whe they were all sitting at tea. He had pleasant salutations for every- one, but went straight up to Mabel, to whom he addressed himself with the utmost tenderness, and beside whom he seated himself. He soon contrived to get hold of her hand under the table, and slipped something on to the ‘‘engaged finger.” When the pretty little hand made its appearance again above-board a magnificent ring of diamonds and rubies was glittering upon it. After tea he begged her to come out into the garden with him. They strolled about, and if Mabel was a little more silent than usual, Mr. Landon was delight- ful and talked enough for two. ‘I do think,” he said, after a great deal of charming conversation, “‘that Mabel is the very prettiest and dearest name in the world.” “You have never asked me to call you by your Christian name,” answered she, with a delicate little pout. “No,” he said, smiling, ‘‘and reason good, too!” “Why, what is your Christian name? How odd I should not know it !” “I have none,” he replied quietly. “But that is impossible,” cried she, laughing. ‘‘ You can’t have been called Mr. Landon all your life! by all your relations, not when you were a little boy.” He said nothing. “Do tell me what your Christian name 1s,” she urged. ** But what if I really have none ?” “Nonsense; everybody has.” ‘“ Most people have, I admit; but why should there not be exceptions ?P “But there couldn’t!” ‘Why note” “Oh, because—but now, really, why do you talk so? You kucw you have a Christian name. Lverybody has a name, and, of course, you have too.” “What will our names matter in the heart of Africa or in the depths of a South American forest ?” asked he abruptly. ‘I don’t know,” she cried, with some excitement. ‘‘ Why should that make any difference? But I don’t want to go there—I had rather not go to Africa. I had rather remain in England.” COMMICMOOOKS.c©