The Argosy — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

Roger Bevere. 121 days. One thing is certain,” concluded Mrs. Dyke, ‘that we shall never have a lack of barmaids in this country until a law is passed by the legislature—which, happen, never will be passed—to forbid girls serving in these places. There’d be less foolishness going on then, and a deal less drinking.” These were Pitt’s ideas over again. A loud laugh outside, and Lizzie came running in. ‘‘ Why, Aunt Dyke, are you there !—entertaining Mr. Johnny Ludlow!” she exclaimed, as she threw herself into a chair. ‘‘ Well, I never. And what do you two think I am going to do to-morrow?” “Now just you mind your manners, young woman,” advised the aunt. “T am minding them—don’t you begin blowing-up,” retorted Lizzie, her face brimming over with good humour. “You might have your things stole; you and the girl out to- gether,” said Mrs. Dyke. ‘‘There’s nothing to steal but chairs and tables. I’m sure I’m much obliged to you both for sitting here to take care of them. You'll never guess what I am going to do,” broke off Lizzie, with shrieks of laughter. ‘I am going to take my old place again at the Bell-and- Clapper, and serve behind the counter for the day: Mabel Falkner wants a holiday. Won't it be fun!” * Your husband will not let you; he would not like it,” I said in my haste, while Mrs. Dyke sat in open-mouthed amazement. ** And I shall put on my old black dress; I’ve got it yet; and be a regular barmaid again. A lovely costume, that black is!” ironi- cally ran on Lizzie. ‘Neat and not gaudy, as the devil said when he painted his tail pea-green. You need not look as though you thought I had made acquaintance with him and heard him say it, Mr. Johnny ; I only borrowed it from one of Bulwer’s novels that I read the other day.” If I did not think that, I thought Madam Lizzie had been making acquaintance this afternoon with something else. “ Drops!” as Mrs, Dyke called it. “There I shall be to-morrow, at the old work, and you can both come and see me at it,” said Lizzie. “I'll treat you more civilly, Mr. Johnny, than Polly Panken did.” ity I say that your husband will not allow you to go,” I repeated to her. “Ah, he’s in bed,” she laughed; “he can’t get out of it to stop me.” _ “You are all on the wrong tack, Lizzie girl,” spoke up the aunt, severely. ‘If you don’t mind, it will land you in shoals and quick- sands. How dare you think of running counter to what you know your husband’s wishes would be?” She received this with a louder laugh than ever. ‘“ He will not know anything about it, Aunt Dyke. Unless Mr. Johnny Ludlow Gomichbooksreo m