The Argosy — page 286: what you’re looking at

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

Winifred Power. 265 neighbourhood!” All these astounding items of news, tumbled out heterogeneously by Georgie, who was reading over her mother’s shoulder, excited the liveliest feelings of indignation and dismay. Nor were these sentiments altogether unmixed with embarrassment ; for Gertrude was by no means measured in her abuse of Mrs. Hatherley, and Georgie, blushing a vivid red, stopped abruptly every now and then in her helter-skelter reading—pulled up by the con- sciousness of Dolly’s presence. Fortunately that little person was not sensitive on the subject of her relatives. Moreover, she was naturally feeling very warmly just now about anything which concerned Richard; and finally, she was consumed with curiosity. ‘‘ Pray go on!” she exclaimed, with eager affability, as Georgie stumbled—all too tardily—anew ; “I know quite well how horrid mamma can be sometimes, and Flossie can be too.” “My dear!” began Mrs. Dallas, gently, rather shocked at such candour. : “Since Dolly does not mind our saying it, I think Mrs. Hatherley has behaved abominably,” indignantly broke in Georgie. ‘Just read to the bottom of the page. J never // Gertrude has a horrid temper, but she isn’t a thief or a murderess.” : ‘‘ Who accuses her?” enquired Mr. Dallas. ‘‘ Mrs. Hatherley; Flossie; the nurse; your mother, Winifred. Such things to say! And that business of the Psalter, too. I— Oh ! I wish 7 was there!” cried Georgie, and fairly burst out crying. ‘Tet me see what she says about the Psalter,” said Richard, slowly, possessing himself of one letter. “Tet me read what she says. It is impossible to understand anything,” cried Mr. Dallas, testily, and seized the other letter. ‘‘ What is this about the Psalter? Here is a fresh allusion to it, Dick, and to your share in it.” Dick, looking calmly incensed and contemptuous, shrugged his shoulders. ‘“‘I suppose I may consider myself released now from my promise of secrecy. Sir John got me to sell it for him, months ago, when I left The Limes.” A simultaneous exclamation of horror broke from Winifred and Dolly. ‘And he allowed poor William to be suspected !” “IT understand now, that the sale was part, perhaps the beginning, of his underhand system of raising money,” continued Richard, rather bitterly. ‘‘ But I dare say Gerty has exaggerated a good deal.” **T am sure she has,” promptly assented Mr. Dallas. ** Naturally she would be excited, poor child!” added the meek little mother, smothering her own anxiety, as usual. Consequently it was agreed that there was no immediate reason for action: that they could safely wait for a day or two until fresh news came; and that, meanwhile, Richard could write to his sister. This he did at once. Mr. Dallas lighted a fresh pipe, and, the excitement having put him into a genial mood, he proceeded to (CO) CoOnniclooolkks