The Argosy — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

32 The Ebony Box. The first Sunday of his stay there, Sam went out to attend the morning service in the Cathedral, congratulating himself that that grand edifice stood so conveniently near, and looking, it must be confessed, a bit of a dandy, for he had put a little bunch of spring violets into his coat, and ‘“ button-holes” were quite out of the common way then. ‘The service began with the Litany, the earlier service of prayers being held at eight o’clock. Sam Dene has not yet forgotten that day, for it 1s no imaginary person I am telling you of, and never will forget it. ‘The Reverend Allen Wheeler chanted, and the prebendary in residence (Somers Cocks) preached. While wondering when the sermon (a very good one) would be over, and thinking it rather prosy, after the custom of young men, Sam’s roving gaze was drawn to a young lady sitting in the long seat oppo- site to him on the other side of the choir, whose whole attention appeared to be given to the preacher, to whom her head was turned. It is a nice face, thought Sam ; such a sweet expression in it. It really was a nice face, rather pretty, gentle and thoughtful, a patient look in the dark brown eyes. She had on a well-worn dark silk, and a straw bonnet ; all very quiet and plain; but she looked very much of a lady. Wonder if she sits there always? thought Sam. Service over, he went home, and was about to turn the handle of the door to enter (looking another way) when he found it turned tor him by somebody whe was behind and had stretched out a hand to do it. ‘Turning quickly he saw the same young lady. ‘“O, I beg your pardon,” said Sam, all at sea; ‘did you wish to come in here?” | ‘If you please,” she answered—and her voice was sweet and her manner modest. “QO,” repeated Sam, rather taken aback at the answer. ‘‘ You did not want me, did you ?” ‘Thank you, it is my home,” she said. ‘Your home ?” stammered Sam, for he had not seen the ghost of anybody in the house yet, save his landlord and landlady and salve “i ktere ¢ * ‘Ves. I am Maria Parslet.” He stood back to let her enter ; a slender, gentle girl of middle height ; she looked about eighteen, Sam thought (she was that and two years on to it), and he wondered where she had been hidden. He had to go out again, for he was invited to dine at Lawyer Cocker- muth’s, so he saw no more of the young lady that day ; but she kept dancing about in his memory. And somehow she so fixed herself in it, and as the time went on so grew In it, and at last so filled it, that Sam may well hold that day as a marked day—the one that intro- duced him to Maria Parslet. But that is anticipating. On the Monday morning all his ears and eyes were alert, listening and looking for Maria. He did not see her; he did not heara sound of her. By degrees he got to learn that the young lady was CORnniclooolk<s.Cconn