The Argosy — page 290: what you’re looking at

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

Winifred Power. 269 spite of this sneer, in itself not unkindly spoken, he looked grave after glancing at the telegram, and added, ‘‘ This should be answered, and I must go to England.” “'To-night 2?” “'To-night I cannot ; to-morrow will be time enough.” CHAPTER XXX. IN WHICH MARK MAKES DISCOVERIES. Mrs. HATHERLEY and Florence, the very day after Gertrude’s dis- appearance, betook themselves to London, unable to bear the monotony of The Limes, now that the excitement of the arch- enemy’s presence was removed. ‘‘ Mark,” as they expressed it, ‘‘ was too horribly ‘grumpy’;” and, indeed, he was not cheerful. Beset with creditors, worried with letters, feeling each hour widen the gulf between himself and all the pride, the hopes and illusions of the past, he spent many hours when love of work alone stood between him and despair. He was resolute to bring his father’s affairs into order, and to redeem, as far as his own effort could do it, the blighted honour of his name. But the task was no easy one, and brought endless bitterness to his noble naturey The arrival of Richard Dallas was welcome to him: not only because he came straight from Winifred—knew what she was doing —must speak of her unasked. Moreover, Dick was an agreeable companion, and had the tact to keep his affectations in the back- ground when with sensible men. Concern, also, about Gertrude made him really serious, and attuned him to Mark’s present mood. The result of their first consultation was the advertisement in the Z7mes - which, as we know, produced nothing. “Tt is more the responsibility of her disappearance than any great uneasiness that oppresses me,” said Mark one morning. ‘“ After all, as a married woman with some experience of the world, she does, presumably, know how to take care of herself.” “Naturally. But when her money runs out, she will commit any act of extravagant folly rather than confess herself in the wrong, and ask help.” ‘ven should she have recovered from her scare about the state of things here P’ “Even so. I believe that the one motive power of all my sister’s actions is what may be called the love of adventure’ “You do not then believe in the existence of this uncle ?” “What uncle ?” ' “Surely I explained to you that at the inquest Lady Hatherley stated that the mysterious stranger from Harwich who, as we suppose helped her to convert the jewels into money, was her uncle.” Dick made a gesture of surprise. ‘No doubt you mentioned it VOL, XXXVL S Cconniclooolks (CO) im