The Argosy — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Carr’s Companion. — 65 Two days before that fixed for the wedding, the two bridesmaids arrived: Lady Evelyn and Lady Sybil Raleigh, Lady Mary’s nieces. Olive drove to meet them at the station, first setting down her mother at the florist’s, where she had to give some orders. In the Close, on her way back, with her gay chattering young cousins, they met Captain Kane whirling along in his dog-cart, apparently coming from their house. Rose met them on the doorstep, with shining eyes and a flush of excitement on her usually pale cheeks. She embraced her cousins and led them in; as was her wont, not saying much; listening, indeed, rather absently to their gay chatter. ‘“‘ Has Wilfred Kane been here, Rose? We met him in the Close bowling along at his usual dangerous pace.” “Ves, he brought me a wedding-present.” And, with fingers which her sister saw were trembling nervously, she opened a morocco case which lay on the table, and disclosed a handsome gold band bracelet with the word ose worked in brilliants upon it. Olive uttered an exclamation. ‘Rose! How extravagant of him!” Rose’s cheeks took an even deeper glow. So I told him.” “Sybil! Evelyn! look !” Olive turned to display the gift. ‘‘ What do you think of this present from Rose’s future nephew ?” The girls laughed and admired in their happy, good-natured way. And while they were still gazing and fitting the ornament in turn upon their wrists, Lady Mary came in, with her cordial welcome to her brother’s girls, and thought with satisfaction of the figure those: pretty, aristocratic-looking faces would make in the bridal following, and of how well that dark Norman type of beauty would enhance Rose’s fairness. She was proud of these young kinswomen who bore her beloved maiden name. Then Olive carried them off to see some of the bridal finery, and Kose escaped to her own room. She had been strangely in love with solitude of late. “Viola! Is that you? Are you going fora stroll? Wait a mo- ment and I will come with you.” It was the eve of the wedding. Olive had been busy indoors all day and pined for a breath of air. She seized a hat, muffled herself in a warm shawl, and joined her friend in the hall. “It is getting cold now in the dusk,” said Viola as they turned in- to the garden ; ‘‘but there is such a large fire in your aunt’s room, that the air is quite refreshing. Mrs. Carr does not want me again to night ; you must let me help you presently, or you will look quite jaded and worn-out to-morrow.” | “You shall write some notes for me after dinner, if you will. I have persuaded Rose not to come down again this evening. She VOL. XXXVI. CORNICE OOokS (C(O)