The Argosy — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

Valentine’s Day, 239 months. A lively time I shall have of it by all accounts down in Glendale.” “Glendale!” exclaimed the young lady, ‘“‘ why Tam going there. How very curious!” “Indeed !” said Trevor, thinking it might not be so unmitigatedly dreary as he had at first feared. ‘‘ Do you live there?” “No; I’m only going to stay with my aunt for a few weeks. It certainly is not a very lively place.—But you knew I was going there,” she added, suddenly, ‘“‘for you have read the label on my hand-bag. I’ve seen you looking at it a dozen times.” ‘TI have certainly tried to read it,” said Trevor, ‘‘ but I could never get my neck far enough round to see the last word. ‘ Miss Kate Grey, Miss Foster, The Grange,’ is as far as I ever managed. I hope we shall be able to keep the carriage to ourselves till we reach our destination.” And they did have it all to themselves as far as Glendale : during which time Miss Grey had told him that she was very angry at having to leave home to-day, as to-morrow was Valentine’s Day, and she felt sure her sisters would open her valentines to see from whom they came, and then pretend they did it under the belief that they were addressed to themselves. Mr. Trevor sympathised with her, inwardly resolving she should have one valentine, at least, that no one should be able to open but herself. At last they steamed into Glendale. A prim old lady standing on the platform as they passed being identified by Miss Grey as her aunt, the young lady suggested they should shake hands in the carriage. Which they did; Trevor remarking that it wasn’t going to be good-bye for long, as of course he should see her often enough during the next month. At which Miss Grey blushed slightly, and said “Perhaps. 4 On emerging on to the platform Miss Grey was at once claimed and marched off by her aunt to point out her luggage to a porter ; while a tall, pale, handsome man of about thirty, in most untidy clerical garb, introduced himself to Trevor as the Reverend Paul Vyner, remarking that he believed he was right in supposing him to be Mr. Trevor. 4 We must now say a few words in defence”of our heroine, whose conduct so far may appear indiscreet, if not reprehensible. Certainly she was wrong to enter into conversation with a strange young man in a railway carriage, and very wrong to more than half promise to meet him on some future occasion; but as we have started a para- graph in defence of her, we must do our best in her behalf. Firstly, then, she was caught laughing at his unceremonious entry, and so, in the most innocent way, laid herself open to be addressed. Secondly, he was not only a handsome man, but evidently a gentle- man. Thirdly, she was a flirt, though a very pretty and innocent EONNIE OO KS (EO) m