The Argosy — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

The Eve of St. Parindge. 73 Mrs. Bulmer started as though she were half afraid, and then she uttered a decided ‘‘ Come in.” A dark, bright-eyed laughing girl obeyed the summons. “Oh, Julia! I was so afraid you would be asleep, and I have such a bit of fun to tell you.” ‘¢ Something that will not keep till the morning, Mimi? Why are you not in bed long ago, you naughty,,child ? ” “T am only two years younger than you, Julia, and you are not thinking of sleeping. But never mind—only listen to what I have to tell you. And Mimi Taunton, for Julia’s nocturnal visitor was the daughter of the house, knelt down beside the chair into which Mrs. Bulmer had thrown herself. “You know my boudoir 1s at the end of the long corridor,” began Mimi, in an excited tone; ‘“‘and in the little room next to it Jack . Burnett has been put to sleep, because the house ts full and he 1s only a boy.” “ Ves—well ?” ‘Well, mamma told me I was to write the menus for to-morrow’s dinner, and as I intend to pass to-morrow in the woods [| thought I would take time by the forelock and do them to-night.” ‘And what has happened ?”’ ‘Just as I had got about half through them I heard an awful noise in the next room. It was Percy Wilmot trying to wake Jack Burnett, — who was fast asleep—boys always do want so much sleep.” ‘¢ And did he succeed ?” asked Mrs. Bulmer, half wearied. ‘I should think he did, and what he told him you would give your ears to know.” ‘““What was it—though, stop; one ought not to listen.” ““T didn’t listen, I heard. Boysshould be more careful ; it is their fault, not mine, if secrets are revealed. ‘This one concerns you. A bet of fifty pounds has been laid about you to-night.” “About me, Mimi? What do you mean?” _ “ Why, Captain Merrick, whom I rather meant to flirt with myself, has taken a bet with Major Ricketts that he will win you and distance Arthur Seymour, your old friend, whom the Major has a sort of sus- picion is in love with you.” Mrs. Bulmer started up from her chair, and catching on to the arm of it as though to steady herself, turned very pale. ‘And Arthur—Mr. Seymour—does he know anything of this ?” “Not a word. There would be no fun if he knew. Julia, you must not betray me; you must keep your own counsel and act, not talk. Why, you look quite frightened over it! Now, if it were only me instead of you, what sport it would be. I would teach them to lay wagers about me!” “I wonder what you would do?” queried Mrs. Bulmer, with a smile. “Do! Why I would flirt with this impertinent Captain Algy ECOMICOOOKS