The Argosy — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

Fifty Pounds Reward. 79 then she took another look-.to see if the coast was clear for the business she had in hand. ‘Two more people were coming. Back went her eyes to the placard, and she read that this reward was offered to any person who would give such information as would lead to the conviction of the perpetrator of a daring jewel robbery. ‘© Wish I could catch the thief!” said Clara to herself, half laugh- ing, half sadly; and when she looked again towards the wardrobe shop she saw she might venture in. After hearing her husband's boots depreciated in every possible manner, she timidly accepted the pitiful price offered, and then stole back into the street. There she purchased a few of the absolute necessaries of life, and ordered some coals : which a greengrocer’s boy wheeled in a barrow behind her until. they reached the door of the lodging- house. ‘Would you mind carrying them up to my room in two baskets- ful, if I give you twopence ?” asked Clara, gently. The boy nodded by way of answer, and the young wife opened the door with her latch-key, and ran up for an old basket. While she was getting this out of her room a man had swiftly entered the house and passed up the stairs. The coal-boy never noticed him, for his back was turned to the door, and he was eagerly watching the signs of an approaching fight between two tom-cats on an opposite door-step. The staircase was very dark, so when Clara came down with the basket the man had squeezed himself into a corner unob- served ; and when she went on her way, the stranger passed on to _ the top of the sista and entered the room behind that occupied by the Cravens. An hour later a snug glow of fire warmed the young couple and their children ; and the latter having been satisfied with a meal, went sound asleep. Tom watched his wife’s busy fingers mending shabby clothes for awhile ; and then he too went to bed, sharing her fervent hope that “something good would turn up to-morrow.” And so it came about that, when all were fast asleep, Clara sat on by the fire that still burned cheerily; and after eleven strokes had fallen slowly from the big clock, and the restless roar of traffic was somewhat less in the ever busy streets, her hands lay idle in her lap, and she blew out the candle to save its light for another time, and turned such a sad young face, such troubled blue eyes upon the flickering fire, that it seemed hard, hard so young a life should be so old in sorrow. A sound of voices in the next room roused her.. There was a door of communication between the two rooms, which was of course locked, but which made sounds easily heard. Clara knew that their neigh- bour was an elderly woman; she had met her on the stairs some- times, and she wondered who her visitor could be at such an hour. Then the sound of frightened sobbing and expostulation made her listen attentively, for she feared her neighbour was in trouble, and determined to rouse her husband, if necessary. EORMNICLOOKS (E©@) m