The Argosy — page 378: what you’re looking at

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

The White Witch. 355 hand. ‘As my true sister,” he said: “I ask nothing better.” For the present, he added mentally. ** Thank you,” she softly whispered: and he saw the tears rush to her eyes. ‘Talking of promises,” resumed Godfrey, ‘‘ do you remember one you made to me?” “No. What was it?” ‘That you would sing to me again.” Mary looked out before her very gravely, and did not answer immediately. “I would do so willingly,” she presently said, ‘‘ but I hardly see how I can. Mamma has an insuperable dislike to my singing ; she thinks it tries me too much; and I do not care to go against her will: she would be so very angry if she heard me.” Godfrey was silent. Of course he could not urge her to anger her mother by singing in her hearing; and Mrs. Mayne seemed not to be going out much just now. A happy thought came to him. You sing sacred music. Why not come into the church and sing to the organ ?” * Well—I hardly know. I should like to fulfil my promise, as you have been good to me. But I should not wish for anyone else to hear me sing ; and perhaps someone or other might be coming in.” “Not the least danger of it,” cried Godfrey, eagerly. ‘‘ Nobody goes in, that I know of, but the Thornhills—and myself once in a way. The Thornhills are away to day; so that you might come this afternoon with safety. If you would ; if you did not mind?” “Then I will,” she answered. ‘‘Shall we say three o’clock ?” “That will do excellently. Thank you. I have to go out for my father this morning, but I shall be back long before three o’clock.” So the bargain was made, and they parted good friends. Godfrey started with Croft, the head groom, in the dog-cart about midday, for a small village across country. Mr. Mayne was changing his under-groom, and Godfrey’s errand was to enquire the character of. a young man who had applied for the place. But Godfrey was detained longer than he expected to be, and it was past three o’clock when he dashed in. He made his way at once to the churchyard. In it, to his surprise, he saw Sir William Hunt, walking up the pathway before him. The Baronet unceremoniously put his arm within that of the younger man. ““T thought I should find you somewhere about here,” said he. “You said you would play the organ for me: Thornhill and your father told me I ought to hear it, you know; seemed to take it asa slight on the instrument that I had not yet been. Godfrey,” he added, after a pause, dropping his voice, ‘‘I have been but twice to service in the church here since my boy died.” “And that is two years and a half ago, I think, sir.” “Yes, yes; it was at carnivaltime. Poor William, poor William !” They were just inside the porch when the sweet and glorious tones EONMIE OOO KS (EO) m