The Argosy — page 256: what you’re looking at

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

In Half an Hour. 239 she was content to wait. But this damsel, of whom Mr. O’Hagan spoke, was an evident absurdity, and perhaps this unnecessary longing was a natural sequence to an absurdity. Men were often ridiculous outside their offices and studies ; she had heard Aunt Caroline say so. However it was not unpleasant to feel that this man was less wise than herself. Besides, poor fellow! he would never find his damsel, and she ought to be sorry for him. They were still standing at the top of the grass-walk, and now Missy turned round. ‘There are Norah and Bob coming out of the wood,” she said. “¢ See how happy they look! Bob looks taller, or older, or prouder— I don’t know what—but he seems different tome. What can it be, Mr. O’Hagan? And Norah seems younger and prettier! And there is something glistening on her finger—it looks like a jewelled ring— but she had no ring on this morning! And they are talking so joyously together that they do not see us! They look asif a fairy had given them some shining treasure. What is it, Mr. O'Hagan? It is like a Michaelmas afternoon’s dream.” “Miss Missy,” said Mr. O’Hagan, oracularly, ‘I think Norah has met the beautiful youth, and I think Bob has realised his rosy dream, and unveiled his fair secret.” . “Then is everyone alike?” murmured Missy, regretfully. ‘* Has everyone a fair secret and a rosy dream ?” ‘“‘ Hveryone, I hope—nearly everyone, I believe,” said Mr. O’Hagan. “Let us go and meet them. They have not been only amused, they have been in earnest.” ' | And the prim dahlias did not turn aside, but smiled proudly, as the two who had played their little drama amongst them, met those other two who had been unfolding sweet secrets in the wood for half an hour, ECORmICOOOKS (CO) mn