The Argosy — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

146 Hester. But the sight of the girl’s sweet face saddened by their grief—for the simple old couple never guessed at her own share in it—seemed a. comfort to the poor parents in these first days of their loss. From childhood Hester Conway had been a frequent visitor at Guestwycke, and sweet, sad memories lurked for her at every corner. Up and down the shady avenue Talbot had led her old pony when he first taught her to ride—upon the shining beaches of the river rippling below—dull now, and grey with the gloom that was everywhere this dreary November. ‘They had floated lazily through summer after- noons ; on this very shady bank they had lingered last autumn when he had asked her to be his wife. What issues—though she knew it not—had depended upon her answer ! One word from her, and Talbot would have stayed to be the com- fort of his parents and in good time to play his part in life as master of Guestwycke, an honest country Squire like his father before him.. And now Hester felt that his death lay at her door! She pictured him toiling, tired and athirst, across the arid desert,. thinking of her as he rode wearily on. She pictured the three days. fighting face to face with Death in that terrible ravine amid the thunder of guns from the heights above, amid thirst, and weariness. and despair, till the merciful messenger brought its almost welcome summons. Or did he fall early in the battle? and was that beloved: head with its dark curls trampled in desert-dust by friend and foe > Oh! it was too horrible! And it was she who had goaded him away from his safe, peaceable life at Guestwycke—goaded him to his. doom! Should she ever dare confess as much to the poor parents. who mourned the son of their old age? Hester felt almost guilty in receiving their caresses. If they had but known! She crept away into: solitude whenever it was possible, to weep her heart out in miserable self-reproach. | She had not thought it possible to endure grief more bitter than she suffered during those two days at Guestwycke, but her cup as it seemed was not yet full. Il, While the mourning parents at Guestwycke went heavily, and Hester’s sorrow sought relief in tears, a strange piece of gossip was. _convulsing the little world of Silvercombe. The Rector’s William had it from the ostler at the Red Dragon, who had it from the kitchen- maid whose mother chared for all the best families, who had it from Mrs. Tracy’s own maid Maria, who surely ought to know whether her mistress were engaged or not! And engaged it appeared she was—or rather had been since the poor gentleman was dead—to Captain Talbot Guest of Guestwycke. And that Maria would swear to, for her mistress. had told her so with her own lips! And were not mistress and maid both busy as bees stitching away at the mourning, besides what was. ordered from Exeter for bettermost wear ECORMNICLOOOKS eC) m