The Argosy — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

My Saturdays. 281 “JT should have thought you would have been taken off almost at once,” said Lady Jacobs; ‘‘there are always such hosts of boats on the river.” ‘‘'There did not seem to be as many as usual to-day,” she answered; ‘and then I know I was stupid. Ifyou will believe me, it never once occurred to me that I could get an up-going boat to take me across to the bank, and walk home. I only thought of going back as I had come, and concluded that there was no use in hailing boats that were going up stream.” “Well, my dear, I never should have suspected you of being such a goose,” said Lady Jacobs; ‘‘ but even so, how was it that you did not make any of the down-going boats hear?” ‘As I tell you, there were not very many of them; and at first, until matters grew serious, I was shy, and looked at each of them to see if I could go rowing in company with the people in them, and I didn’t like the looks of them, and thought it would be so awkward ; and so I waited for a boatful of prepossessing people, and it never came. At last I knew you would all be getting frightened if I didn’t come back ; so I made up my mind to call out to the next one, but when it came, the men in it were half-tipsy, and I really couldn't. ‘Then it began to grow dark, and no more passed; and I thought I was in for a night on the island.” “Poor child, you must have been dreadfully frightened,” said Lady Anderton, pityingly. “Oh no, I wasn’t. If it had net been for thinking of you all, and your anxiety, I should have rather enjoyed it. It would have been an experience. At least I should have enjoyed it if I had had arug and ashawl. It threatened to be a chilly experience when the river-mist began to cling round the willows.” Lady Anderton shivered with sympathy. “Tam quite warm now, mamma,” laughed Imogen. ‘‘ The wind has changed, I think.” “Yes,” said Archie, who was leaning against the window, as we had all now finished tea. ‘‘It is quite a fine night. ‘The clouds are all gone, and the stars are shining. Come out and see them.” “ Mamma,” said the girl, dreamily, ‘‘ Archie says that the clouds are all gone, and the stars are shining, and I am to come out and see them. May I go?” ‘Yes, dear; go, and God bless you,” said Lady Anderton, drawing her down for a kiss. So Archie and his ladye-love stepped out together into the presence of the steadfast stars. VERA SINGLETON. CONNICLOOKS.EO mn