The Argosy — page 345: what you’re looking at

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

322 Mrs. Raven's Temptation. empty aisle. ‘‘Isn’t there a little gate off the churchyard through which we could get inside the Court-grounds at once?” “Ves,” said Frank, ‘there is; and I suppose the master-key of all the Court-gates which I carry will open that too. But I’m not sure what sort of a path we shall find when we get inside, for it is never used, and I’ve not been that way for years.” ‘‘Oh, never mind that,” she answered ; ‘‘ we shall manage some- how. I do so want to escape the crowd!” | That at least they succeeded in doing. ‘The people had left the churchyard, but still lingered in the high road, quite certain that the two would pass that way, and desirous of showing them the civility of courtesy and good wishes. Frank’s head ached ; and he was not sorry for the refuge offered by the gate, though when they passed within it, he found his forebodings fulfilled, and they were in the midst of a thicket of small growing trees. But he saw that the bushes were set well back from the fence, and that by skirting it they might make their way through. ‘They had to walk in Indian file, however, and could hear the voices on the other side, communicating their domestic interests, and commise- rating the latest bad news about the Squire. ‘‘T’m afraid I’ve been rather stupid to-day,” Frank said kindly, as he followed Evelyn; “but I really feel very unwell. Leonard’s illness last night gave me a shock. How you have recovered as you have is more than I can tell, when you were so poorly before it.” She paused, and half turned round. ‘I think women are stronger than men,” she said. ‘They can’t lift such weights or run so fast, but they can bear more, and go through more. You must have a glass of wine the moment we get home.” ‘‘ Dear me,” said Frank, playfully, ‘‘ what is that sound? Something seems to have taken fright.” It was somebody at the other side of the wall who started off into a rapid run. Evelyn did not seem to notice the slight remark. ‘* Look at Aunt Gertrude!” she said. ‘‘I don’t believe any of you men, though you admire her so much, half realise what her life has been. You may see what she has borne and done—but do you ever remember what she has gone without? You never think of the bright rooms and the pleasant holidays and the nice dresses that she has foregone. She has never said a word about these things to me; yet they would have been as great a delight to her as they are to anybody. You don't think of these things !” ‘‘T should as soon think of them in connection with an angel in heaven,” answered Frank. ‘‘T must go and see Aunt Gertrude soon. She seems to me like a refuge from one’s self and from the world! I suppose these are Christmas feelings,” she broke off, with a light laugh, as they reached the Court. ‘ But I must not forget your wine. You really look white and wan. Mrs. Raven must not see you so,” COPMICLOO; KS, EO)