The Argosy — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Raven’s Temptation. — 7 “Well,” admitted Philip, ‘“‘there’s more satisfaction in having to deal with a man than a ghost, so it 1s well you feel no doubt upon that point, mother. I thought I heard it said to-night—by Frank, was it P—that the figure given to haunt the precincts of Ravenstoke in a dark cloak was supposed to be a ghost, and not a man. _ Cer- tainly one cannot at present see what the Ravenstoke ghost should want at Coltburn ——” ‘Don’t joke, Philip, cried Mrs. Raven, in a low, weary voice. “‘Tt is not a subject for it.” Philip was checked at once. He begged Mrs. Raven’s pardon, and said mentally that he ought to have remembered she was present. ‘But I wonder,” he added to himself, as an afterthought, ‘ what it is in this business that is especially scaring her. She looksas white as the ghost could look ; and so she did when they were talking in the drawing-room to-night of the figure that walks in the Raven lanes.” The coffee which had been ordered now came in—perhaps to some of them as a welcome interruption. As Mr. Connell slowly stirred that in his cup round and round to cool it,—for to drink hot tea or coffee always made his voice hoarse—he began turning about in his mind how he could best set about the solving of this mystery. “We are all naturally incredulous of anybody’s seeing or hearing more than we do ourselves,” remarked Philip, calmly. ‘‘And as the rest of us did not see this phenomenon on the shadowy lawn, only the mother and Miss Cleare—why, there it 1s.” He was crossing the rcom as he spoke, after putting down his empty coffee-cup. Mr. Connell pinned him by the arm. “Philip,” he said, in a low, grave tone, “ what reason have you for persisting in this semi-satire? Have any of you young men been playing a joke, by giving vent to the cry yourselves ?” ‘“‘ No, father,” earnestly spoke Philip, who knew he must not trifle with the minister. ‘‘ We know absolutely nothing about it, any more than you know. Ionly thought to throw a less grave face upon it by way of re-assurance.” The coffee had done wonders in the way of renovation, and the whole party was astir now; Mrs. Connell ironically remarking, “I’m sure nobody can be afraid to go to bed, after Philip has set our nerves | so entirely at rest.” Miss Cleare was the first to go back to her own room. She said so little, that Philip wondered if she was really vexed ; and he noticed his aunt watching her movements with deep interest, and an expres- sion of countenance which he felt had some meaning beyond his understanding. Mrs. Raven repudiated all suggestions that she might be the better for a companion in her chamber. She did not even seem grateful for the offer, though she did not say she was not frightened, but spoke with a coldness which again recalled past years to Frank’s memory. ‘I own I prefer to be alone.” ) ECoOnnicloooks (©) mn