The Argosy — page 351: what you’re looking at

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

328 Mrs. Raven’s Temptation. Still he could not enjoy his soup, and sat toying with his spoon. Evelyn stood in the long window, half-leaning against its side. “Mr. Frank,” she said, suddenly, speaking with an effort, “TI must go home to London. I wish I could go by the next train.” ‘You haven’t had any bad news,” asked Frank, alarmed. ‘‘No,” she said, in the same odd, half-defiant tone. ‘* No—don’t you remember I told you yesterday that I felt I must see Aunt Ger- trude soon? Something is driving me to it. How do I know that she may not be wanting me as much as I want her?” she added, with a spice of mockery in her voice, which yet did not deduct from the urgency of her manner. ‘‘I really must go.” ‘‘[’m sure my mother would wish to gratify a feeling of this kind,” Frank answered. ‘‘ You remember she asked whether you would not like to spend Christmas with your aunt. But you declined then.” “Yes, I know,” said Evelyn. ‘‘ But now I—I must go.” ‘Don’t be uneasy. Need you be in quite such a hurry? Can’t you wait till to-morrow? It will be a personal favour to me.” He used the last phrase in sheer desperation. ‘The deadly giddi- ness and sickness were creeping up again, and if he would not sink to the floor where he stood, he must hurry away to his couch. Evelyn looked at him silently, but made no answer. Frank could not linger then for further parley. “Will you kindly tell Budd to send Dr. Wragge to my room when he comes,” he said, faintly. ‘* Please also say that if any unexpected visitor arrives, I must be told immediately.” He turned and left her standing mute by the luncheon-table. She expressed no concern, offered no sympathy. As he went through the door, she took one hasty step after him, and stretched out her hands, as if she wanted to say something. But he was gone, and had not seen the gesture. She went back to the window, opened it, put out her head, looked slowly and cautiously round, then drew back into the room and secured the casement by a heavy hasp, which was seldom fastened even at night. ‘Then she drew a side-table right across the width of the window. It was a heavy table, though it had a slight appearance ; and it took all her good strength to move it. ‘Then she rang the bell. ‘Dear, dear,” Budd ventured to say, as he packed his tray, ‘‘ the young master hasn’t taken his soup! He can’t be himself again yet.” ‘“No, not quite,” said Evelyn. And she delivered Frank’s orders. There were head-shakings and lamentations when Budd carried the news of Frank’s continued indisposition to the servants’ quarters. ‘Master Frank wouldn’t ask for the doctor for nothing,” bewailed Mrs. Sims. ‘There, James Sloam, take you that cup of soup and finish it up, for it’s better than anything you’ve ever tasted, and it ‘ud be a sin and a shame to waste it.” ECOPMICLMOO KS, EO)