The Argosy — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

Winifred Power. | 7 *‘ Mark,” began his father, still with that new briskness, “‘ Gertrude ‘was just speaking to me on a very important subject—one indeed which I have long debated with myself. She thinks it is quite time we were relieved of the burden of your aunt and cousin.” “Of their presence,” corrected Lady Hatherley. Mark made no immediate answer. He had turned quickly to look towards the door, which was ajar and creaking oddly. Another creak, and a decided, slight movement, like that of a curtain gently stirred by the wind. Mark strode forward, an angry frown on his Drow, and threw the door back. ‘This unexpectedly revealed Flossie in a new and very pretty dinner-dress, with an expression suddenly changing from rapt attention to piteousness. ‘«¢ T__JT—just want a book,” she stammered. “Vou are not likely to find it on the cutszde of the door,” said Mark, with careless courtesy. ‘‘ Won’t you step in?” “T think Florence pursues a good number of studies in that coign of vantage,” remarked Gertrude. “While you are about it, you might learn how to make door- mats. Even fhat is a respectable industry,” followed up Sir John, unpleasantly humorous. Flossie, needless to say, was already drowned in tears; and Mark as inevitably vanquished, felt angry with himself for having exposed her. But he knew her tricks of old; they had always annoyed him; and to-day he was in no mood to submit to needless annoyance. i ‘Take what you want and run away,” he said, with rough good- mature. Flossie hastily seized upon a Greek lexicon, and unmindful of Mark’s amused smile, dashed with this useful prize from the room. ‘¢ Gertrude wants me to turn them out; and I think she is right,” pursued Sir John to his son. “You mistake me,” interposed his wife, coldly. ‘I want you to maintain them under some other roof than this.” **‘T don’t see why Florence should not be made to work,” said he. “If she became a daily teacher, now that Dorothy is away, she might support herself and her mother also.” Good Heavens! What could she teach?” exclaimed Mark. Everyone of the trio knew what a dunce she was. “TI have done enough for them,” Sir John resumed doggedly. “You have done so much, sir, that it seems to me you are bound to do to the end,” answered his son. “T will trouble you not to lecture,” retorted Sir John. “A little more and I will turn Mrs. Hatherley and her daughter adrift this very night.” ““ Not to please me, then,” said Gertrude, rising. ‘‘I withdraw my request. I would far rather endure any spying and any insult than that your son should be pained by an act of injustice committed in my name.” VOL. XXXVI. C ECORnniclooOoks (GO