The Argosy — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

66 Mrs. Carr’s Companion. shall have her meals upstairs in peace, apart from all the fluster and worry, and then shut in early for the night and recover her nerve. I found her quite agitated and hysterical just now. We were on the brink of a scene—a thing I hate!” ‘She will want all her composure to-morrow,” said Viola. “I | don’t envy her all the fuss and ceremony of a grand wedding.” “Nor do I. But mamma would have been disappointed to have it otherwise. She likes things done in form, as befits the union of a Kane of the Abbey with Lord Castlemaine’s niece! But it is hard work for their friends. I have seen nothing of you for days past, and no doubt Aunt Charlotte is horrified at my neglect.” “The grand event gives her something to think about. I really could fancy she has been more agreeable lately and—kinder to me.” “T am glad to hear it. There! I must go in and see about Rose. We dine half-an-hour earlier than usual.” Dinner was quickly disposed of that evening, and almost immedi- ately afterwards, Lady Mary went up to bid Rose good-night and counsel her to retire early. Viola betook herself to the writing-table in the breakfast-room with a list of notes to be written. Her ready pen travelled quickly over the paper. The clock struck eight, half- past eight, and she was still engrossed in her work; the heap of envelopes by her side was increasing rapidly. The door opened, but she did not stir until a shadow fell upon her paper, and looking up she saw John Thorold standing before her. He had been away from St. Brenda’s for more than a fortnight, and Viola rose to give him a cordial greeting. But it died orf her lips as, looking round, he exclaimed abruptly: ‘You are alone! . That is well.” He went and closed the door, and as he returned she saw that he looked disturbed and agitated. ‘Miss Keith, I want your help. There is some bad news, which must be kept from Lady Mary and her daughters until this wedding is over. Will you keep the newspapers out of their way for a few hours, if possible? Their brother, Captain Egerton, is 4s The sudden blanching of her face frightened him. She caught at the back of the chair for support, and clutching his arm as though she would wring the truth from him, gasped: ‘‘ Not-—not ——” ‘‘No, not dead,” he answered wondering; “not so bad as that— ‘Severely wounded,’ the telegram says is ‘‘Then there is hope! Thank Heaven for that! What did you say? We must keep it from them! O, yes, you are right! And there is hope? Say you think there is hope !” A white, imploring face was lifted to his with such a strange look of anguish upon it that Thorold was puzzled. “Yes, yes,” he said hastily, trying to reassure her; ‘* but calm your- self, Miss Keith, I entreat you, or you will betray everything. Hush! someone Is coming !” COMMEDOOKS.C©