The Argosy — page 304: what you’re looking at

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

Michael’s Mistake. 279 higher, run alongside them. They rattle over a bridge; they sweep round a corner—and away in the distance a myriad of lights are gleaming ; a city—a great city. Down goes the window of a first class compartment with a bang; and a man’s dark head bobs out, and bobs back again. He fastens his wraps hastily together, he changes his travelling cap for a hat; he pulls his coat up at the neck and smooths himself down. There he stands, a dainty, kindly-eyed, jaunty little gentleman, his sunburnt face adorned by a trim and carefully waxed imperial. The engines slacken, the lines multiply. The train chooses its Way amongst them with an echoing thud; another moment and it steams out of the darkness, solemn, snake-like, and mysterious, into. the seething, glittering station. A roar of life. The little man’s door swings open and he descends: cautiously, throwing a searching glance around him. Through the gleam of the porters’ lights, through the people hurrying to and fro amidst the rushing trucks, there comes the flash of a long brown. coat and ruddy chestnut hair. A wild salute, and he starts forward, his eyes beaming. © Michael !” “Uncle Fabian! How are you?—how are you? I am so glad, SO very glad to see you.” He goes on shaking the hand in his as if he never meant to loose it. “Michael! so here you are! And what was the journey from Hobart Town like? rather rough, eh? Ah! Michael; who was right—you or I?” Brown eyes smile into the grey ones, “Not I, Uncle—and not you. I said it would be fine; you said I should never reach home at all.” ** Ah, you rogue, Michael! I tell you, you should never have left me; and since you did, what have you been about? They say in. ) Florence “Bless me, Uncle Fabian, were you there?” “ And they tell me in Paris, that —— ” “Now, Uncle Fabian! ” “And as to that Monte Carlo affair : why Michael —— ” “Oh as to that, Uncle ——_” ‘And you lost your luggage, Michael ?” : The young man stopped him with a burst of laughter. ‘So will you lose yours; I declare you will, unless someone looks after it. Uncle Fabian, go on out to the carriage; I will see to the luggage for you.” “Very well, Michael; brass bands at the ends; patent lock; you remember ? ” “ As if I could forget, Uncle!” Michael turned and pushed his way towards the vans at the end o Gomichboo (E©) m