The Argosy — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

Winifred Power. 5 warmly received. And when at last her wedding morning dawned, quiet though the ceremony was, it gained brilliancy through the affluence of uninvited guests. All Elmsleigh that had leisure at its disposal was present in the Church. And if there was one thing which struck all spectators more than the suffering air of the bride- groom or the gravity of Mark, it was the deadly pallor of the bride. Gertrude had indeed good cause to look pale, for she had passed a sleepless and an agitated night. And the cause of it had been a very unexpected interview with Mark. He had followed his father after dinner into the library, and there quietly, although with evident reluc- tance, laid before him one of the anonymous letters which he had lately received. Sir John cast his eyes over it in silence; then crushed it in his hand and tossed it into the fire, which the chilliness of the rainy evening rendered necessary. ‘‘ That is the way to.treat such communications,” he said, glacially, though he looked a little disturbed. “It is the way in which I have treated many such of. late, sir,” answered Mark, gently. ‘‘ And I should not have attached more importance to this letter than to its predecessors, if it were not for reports daily growing louder, both around us here and in the city.” ‘You have been spying,” exclaimed his father, harshly. *‘T am not in the habit of spying,” replied Mark. ‘As long as it was honestly possible I shut both my eyes and my ears. But to-day { was told that the Aztec Mine Company is decidedly shaky.” Of this Sir John was one of the Directors, and a large shareholder. * Do you suppose me likely to be more ignorant of that fact, if true, ¢han yourself?” he asked. Mark drove back the retort which rose to his lips—viz.: that his father might be more careless of it. Even in anger he would not admit to himself that Sir John could be dishonest. ‘One is often too long unwilling to believe the worst where one’s own interests are concerned,” he said, after a pause. ‘‘T appreciate your inference,” answered the elder man, scornfully. “* But I cannot see that the affair is any business of yours,” “We will not speak of honour then,” said Mark, rather hotly. “But you can surely understand that I should not like you to be ruined.” ) ‘‘And do you suppose, then, that I have put all my eggs in one Dasket?” With a sudden change of manner, Sir John laid his finger tips together and asked the question dispassionately. Mark made no answer. He was indeed curiously ignorant of the sources and extent of his father’s wealth. ‘Have you seen any change lately in my mode of life?” continued Sir John. ‘“ Have I dismissed any servants? Sold any horses? Put down a carriage? /iminished the courses at dinner? Been mean in my gifts ?” ‘There is a great deal of money owing to the tradespeople, sir.” Sir John frowned. ‘ Let them apply for it,” he said, grandly. CORnnNIClOOKS (CO)