The Argosy — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

My Saturdays. 39 noon’s work! <A nice person I was to have in my hands threads wound round other people’s hearts ! “Vera Singleton,” I summed up, “you are a meddling old mischief-maker !” IV. THE rainy spell exhausted itself within the week, and was followed by splendid summer heat. The earth was intoxicated with roses and sunlight, and July reigned in glory. “¢ Aunt,” said Archie solemnly, as he stood by me under the great horse-chestnut ; ‘‘nobody ought to want to be amused on such a day as this; it ought to be enough for them to be alive.” ‘‘And yet, in half an hour, these paltry mortals will be making themselves very hot playing tennis, and seeking solace, not in nature, but in Ices.’ “Playing tennis to-day is profane,” he replied; ‘‘I will not countenance it. This is one of Nature’s Sundays, and should be observed with due solemnity, and grave rites of joy.” ‘You have borrowed one of Professor Lingard’s’ moods,” I answered, laughing. ‘I never heard you talk so like him before.” “Would you know the reason why? I expect soon to be his bosom friend and mentor. I’ve got jolly good news for him, at any rate,” returned Archibald, excitedly. ‘‘Have you? Oh, what?” ‘‘'You don’t suppose I am going to give you the first of it, auntie? No; I will only uncork it for whom it concerns.” ‘The Professor ? ” ‘‘ Heavens,no! MHe’s a great deal too kittle cattle for me to drive to market; Mrs. Lingard must manage him her own way. [I shall tell her; and if her grey eyes don’t give that wonderful sudden sparkle, like a flash of sunlight on a mountain pool—why, I shall have missed a pretty effect, that’s all. So we'll have another row on the river.” “No, Archie; I can’t have all the gossips’ tongues of Tamston set wagging by more aquatic expeditions of indefinite duration. If you want the pleasure of telling your news yourself, you must sacrifice something for it. People are to come straight out to the lawn, and will not go through the drawing-room; do you take a book, and sit there quietly, and when I have an opportunity, I will bring Rhoda in. ‘Then you can say whatever has to be said, without attracting notice.” So Archie was established in seclusion; and I prepared to be very diplomatic, and bring this little intrigue—now so near its cul- minating point—to a happy ending. Everything promised well. The Lingards arrived rather late, when I had disposed of most of my guests, and was at leisure to attend to them. One of Rhoda's © COMICOOOKS.€O