The Argosy — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

Roger Bevere. 31 their habits too strong to break through. Anyway without great difficulty.” “Do you think he—drinks ?” I questioned, reluctantly. ‘“No mistake about that,” said Pitt. ‘‘ Not so sharply as some of them do, but more than is good for him.” I’m sure if Roger’s pulling-up depended upon his mother, it would have been done. She was so gentle and loving with him; never finding fault, or speaking a harsh word. Night and morning she sat by the bed, holding his hand in hers, and reading the Psalms to him—or a prayer—or a chapter in the Bible. I can see her now, in her soft black gown and simple little white lace cap, under which her hair was smoothly braided. Whatever doubts some of us might be entertaining of Roger, nothing unpleasant in regard to him transpired. Dreaded enemies did not find him out, or come to besiege the house; though he never quite lost his under-current of uneasiness. He soon began to mend rapidly. Scott visited him every second or third day ; he seemed to be fully in his confidence, and they had whisperings together. He was a good- natured, off-hand kind of young man, short and thick-set. I can’t say I much cared for him. The Squire had left London. I remained on with Miss Deveen, and went down to Gibraltar Terrace most days. Lady Bevere was now going home and Mr. Brandon with her. Some trouble had arisen about the lease of her house in Hampshire, which threatened to end in a lawsuit, and she wanted him to see into it. They fixed upon some eligible lodgings for Roger near Russell Square, into which he would move when they left. He was sufficiently well now to go about ; and would keep well, Pitt said, if he took care of himself. Lady Bevere held a confidential interview with the landlady, about taking care of her son Roger. | And she gave a last charge to Bevere himself, when taking leave ot him the morning of her departure. ‘Thecab was at the door to convey her and Mr. Brandon to Waterloo station, and I was there also, hav- ing gone betimes to Gibraltar Terrace to see the last of them. “For my sake, my dear,” pleaded Lady Bevere, holding Roger to her, as the tears ran down her cheeks: ‘you will do your best to keep straight for my sake !” “T will, I will, mother,” he whispered back in agitation, his own eyes wet ; ‘‘I will keep as straight as I can.” But in his voice there lay, to my ear, a ring of hopeless despair. I don’t know whether she detected it. She turned and took my hands. Sheand Mr. Brandon had already exacted a promise from me that once a week at least, so long as I remained in London, I would write to each of them to give news of Roger’s welfare. You will be sure not to forget it, Johnny? I am very anxious Gomichboo <s) (Eo)