The Argosy — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

The Mystery of Allan Grale. LOI “ T think we will take my aunt’s hint, and go straight to Dr. Palmer’s,” said Maria. Secretly she thought that perhaps the sisters might come out and join them in their ramble. Lettice Palmer was a great fern hunter and might be easily induced to avail herself of Edgar’s climbing and scrambling capabilities. “Do you know, Maria?” said Edgar, confidentially, for he saw through Maria’s kindly little plan, and was sorry to disappoint it, and nerhaps sorry to be disappointed of it—‘‘do you know, Maria, I don’t think we'll call on the Palmers at all to-day.” “Oh, why not?” asked Maria, surprised. ‘“‘Can’t you endure me by myself?” he said, playfully. ‘““] want you to go there—and I thought you would like it,” she answered. Her lip trembled. She formed few plans now, and had no hopes inside her own life, and the failure of her harmless little stratagem hurt her. ‘“‘] should like to do anything you wish, and it is always a pleasure to me to see any of the Palmers,” said Edgar ; ‘but I have reasons for not caring to go there this afternoon, I think there is some little bother up; not exactly affecting them, but Charlie Carr.” ‘“Charlie Carr!” she echoed. ‘‘What has happened to him ?” “Well, not much—as I conclude it will turn out,” answered Edgar. “Something has gone wrong in the counting-house at the Works, and Mr. Grale has taken into his head that young Carr is at the bottom of it.” ‘“‘T do not understand you, Edgar.” “Well, the fact is, Mr. Grale has been robbed of late pretty exten- sively; indeed robbery is not the worst; and he fancies he has reason for suspecting Charles Carr.” Maria had remained standing still during the interchange of the last few remarks. Was it only the green shadow of the trees which made her face seem white ? ‘Who told you this ?” she asked, sharply. ‘* Allan Grale himself,” replied Edgar. ‘** He does not believe it?” she added. ‘“*Of course he does not.” ‘When did the Palmers hear of it ?” she inquired, walking on. ‘JT do not know whether they have heard of it,” he answered. “In the uncertainty, I would just as soon not call on them this afternoon.” “If they have heard it, I should lke to be the very first to tell them I do not believe it,” said Maria, energetically. “Just so. But we must make sure before speaking. I dare say the matter will be cleared up speedily ; perhaps already is so; in that case your speaking would be uncalled for. Allan mentioned it to me in confidence.” “We will not call,’ Maria decided. ‘‘ But I don’t care any more for a walk, Edgar. I feel quite tired out already.” “ Maria, ” said Edgar, kindly drawing her hand stcgt his arm, (SO VOL. XXXIX. TJCIOOOKXS