The Argosy — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

“Her Francis.’ 229 “ But I do feel it, I assure you. Did you never play at the game of crying hot andcold? Well. I feel like that. I feel near to very hot.” “Then you may be sure that this north wind will be followed by a south one. A Scirocco always follows a Tramontana.” He was, however, to prove himself right. The very next day, when the Keiths and Mabel returned from a drive they found Francis Grantley awaiting their return. Mabel had only made a few steps into the room when she gave a suppressed shriek and turned to fly. | ‘“* Mabel! what in the world is the matter?” cried Mrs. Keith and her daughter. ‘A great deal is the matter,” said Mr. Grantley, an ill-concealed joyousness in his voice, while he watched Mabel as a cat watches a mouse. ‘‘ A great deal, I can tell you. I have been nearly roasted in your room.” Mrs. Keith, always the most concerned of hostesses, went up to the fire, when her daughter gently but firmly turned her towards the door. ‘Surely I might take off one of the logs,” Mrs. Keith was, heard espostulating as the two were left together and alone—Francis Grantley comparing a pencil list of books, written out by Mabel, lefc lying on the table, with an envelope on which were written her thanks —and Mabel, her hands before her eyes afraid to see in his what he thought of her. In some more polite form he must be going to rudely break the waking dream which had followed the real one. ‘“‘ Her Francis” he could no longer be now. But what happened instead? He was kneeling at her feet, trying to remove her hands from before her face. “Miss Talbot! Mabel! You dearest and sweetest ... .” His words ceased abruptly and he sprang up as the door opened and Helen looked cautiously in. When she entered the room fol- lowed by several visitors, Francis Grantley was its sole occupant. He and Mabel had only had a second of time to look at each other, but during that second their hearts had mutely finished and answered those interrupted words. Ve MABEL was in a tumult of joy. He did not think of her as her sensitive love had feared, but she was his “sweetest and dearest 2) ae The remainder she could fill up for herself. Had she not known “her Francis” before he had known her? Had she not seen that look of love on his face before? When she returned to the sitting-room her joy received its first check. Francis Grantley was gone, but other visitors had come who VOL. AKIX. 0 EOMIGIOOKS (SO