The Argosy — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

Valentine’s Day. 245 recurring to him. In vain, he told himself he had only seen her once ; in vain he tried to persuade himself that what he had seen he didn’ like ; he was haunted by the idea, and at the end of a day or two he made up his mind to see her again at all hazards. Having arrived at this decision, he was prompt to act upon it. Making as an excuse a subscription for a Christmas treat to the poor children of the parish, he called the very next morning upon Miss Foster. That good lady received him in a manner peculiarly her own. “Good morning, Mr. Vyner,” said she; “ it is a very long time since I have seen you. I suppose you want some money.” Mr. Vyner explained the object of his visit as well as he could, re- marking that the idea only occurred to him that very morning; that the third week in February was late for a Christmas treat; but that he supposed children could eat cake at any time in the year. Kindly Miss Foster told him that he was the worst clergyman both in the church and the parish she had ever met with, and then got up to fetch her cheque-book, remarking as she went out of the room: ‘‘That’s my niece. Katie, dear, Mr. Vyner, our vicar.” There was a very embarrassing pause when they found themselves alone. Then he said, blunderingly : ‘‘ You see, Miss Grey, I found an excuse.” *T hope,” said Kate, ‘‘ you don’t mean me to believe that this children’s treat exists only in your imagination, for my aunt has gone to get some money to pay for it.” “No, not exactly,’ said the Vicar, who felt himself on rather dangerous ground. “Because,” continued the young lady, “I should not think very highly of you, if such were the case.” And then rapidly leaving the subject, she remarked in very chilling accents upon the state of the weather. Mr. Vyner, who was no fool, in spite of his infatuation, was quick to perceive by Miss Grey’s manner, that he had not found favour in her sight, and immediately there flashed across his mind a remem- brance of the parting salute he had waved to her. Just then Miss Foster’s step was heard outside. Determining to make the most of his opportunity, he bent down over her seat, and said : ** Miss Grey, I owe you an apology for my conduct. At the risk of making matters worse, I’m going to beg of you to take a walk to- morrow afternoon in the lane where we met before, and I will try and remove the bad impression I fear I have made on you.” Before he could receive any reply, Miss Foster, entering, handed him a cheque, and begged to know if it was enough. The Vicar, who felt heartily ashamed of this part of the business, began to stammer something about munificence, but was speedily cut short by the old lady, who said that now he had got what he wanted, he need not make himself miserable by stopping any longer out of politeness ; that Gomichoo S) (E() m