The Argosy — page 213: what you’re looking at

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

198 Roger Bevere. very much. Six daughters, Roger; one of them, Bessy, would make you a charming wife. You will have to marry, you know, when you set up in practice. ‘They are coming to us next Wednes- day evening.” My eye caught Roger’s. I did not intend it. Caught the bitter expression in it as he turned away. Brighton reached, we went on the pier. Then, while they did some commissions for Lady Bevere at various shops, I went to the post office, to register two letters for Mr. Brandon. ‘Tottams wanted to keep with me, but they took her, saying she’d be too troublesome. The letters registered, I came out of the office, and was turning away, when someone touched me on the arm. Mr. Ludlow, I think! How are you?” To my surprise it was Richard Scott. He seemed equally sur- prised to see me. I told him I had come down with Roger Bevere to spend Christmas week at Prior’s Glebe. “Lucky fellow !” exclaimed Scott. ‘‘I have to go back to London and drudgery this evening: came down with my governor last night for an operation to-day. Glad to say it’s all well over.” But a thought had flashed into my mind: I ought not to have said so much. Drawing Scott out of the passing crowd, I spoke. “Look hereg Scott : you must be cautious not to say that Bevere’s down here. You must not speak of it.” ‘Speak where ?” asked Scott, turning his bead towards me. He had put his arm within mine as we walked along. ‘‘ Where?” ‘*Oh—well—up with you, you know—in Bevere’s old quarters, Or—or in the railway-room at the Bell-and-Clapper.” Scott laughed. ‘‘/ understand. Madam Lizzie might be coming after him to hss mother’s. But—why, what an odd thing !” Some thought seemed to have struck him suddenly. He paused in his walk as well as in his speech. *‘T dare say it was nothing,” he added, going on again. ‘Be at ease as to Bevere, Ludlow. I should as soon think of applying to him a lighted fire-brand.” * But what is it you call odd?” I asked, feeling sure that, what- ever it might be, it was connected with Bevere. “Why this,” said Scott. ‘Last night, when we got here, I left my umbrella in the carriage, having a lot of other things to see to of my own and the governor’s. I went back as soon as I found it out, but could hear nothing of it. Just now I went up again and got it”—slightly showing the green silk one he held in his hand. “A train from London came in while I stood there, bringing a heap of passengers. One of them looked like Lizzie.” I could not speak from consternation. “Having nothing to do while waiting for my umbrella to be brought, I was watching the crowd flock out of the station,” con- tinued Scott. ‘ Amidst it I saw a head of red-gold hair, just like Eomichooks.co