The Argosy — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

248 © Valentine’s Day. ‘‘There’s only one decent way out of this hole,” said Trevor im- perturbably ; ‘‘ and that is, that Miss Grey should keep it as a wedding present.” And Miss Grey was graciously pleased to receive it on these terms. Dear old Miss Foster, when told of the engagement, remarked after a dinner-party, in front of at least twenty people: ‘That her niece, Kate, was a bold, unladylike girl; and that Mr. Vyner was no better than a common swindler, who ought to be in prison for obtaining money under false pretences.” (For Mr. Vyner sent the good lady’s cheque back.) However, she cried all through the wedding-service, and insisted on refurnishing the Vicarage (which certainly wanted it) from top to bottom. eee Te Ng ee SALT-FISH REFLECTIONS. 'Tis Lent. Obedient crowds draw near To shed the penitential tear ; The world forsook, its pleasures blamed, The mind to solemn tone is framed. ’Tis gently sad to see no dish, Save that which holds some luckless fish, To miss the cutlets, roasts and stews, And feed like some poor starved recluse. Ye who may feast throughout the year, Now to your frugal meals draw near ; Think, as your passions thus ye slay, Of Job, who fasteth every day. Hold ye your fasts, if thus ye please ; Perchance they give your spirits ease ; But do not add to secret hoards The pounds ye thus save at your boards. Send them, broadcast throughout the land, To those who bow ’neath sorrow’s hand. So shall your Lenten fasts be blessed, And ye at Mercy’s shrine confessed. MINNIE DovuGcLAs. "ecomilcbooks (E(0)