The Argosy — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

258 The Mystery of Allan Grale. that terrible evening! I cannot tell you about it now—lI never shall, I think. Perhaps he may tell you himself some day. And I had to make believe that nothing was wrong, Edgar. And you know how dreadful aunt can be sometimes. And my uncle, too, happened to be very worried and angry at the time, and—and—yes I was tried.” ‘“And so is he, I fancy. You have not met lately, have you ?” “Yes, we have; very lately. It was but a short interview, though, and I did not say to him all I wished to say—neither, I dare say, did he tome. I should like to meet him again, Edgar, but accidentally. | As if by accident, you understand. Could you not contrive it ?” ‘J will take any message to him which you choose to send,” pro- mised Edgar. ‘‘I will bring him back with me—I will accept no excuse.” She shook her head decidedly. ‘‘ No, no, that would not do. I cannot let him think that I sought the interview.” ‘And neither of you would care that I should make a third at it,” laughed Edgar. ‘‘ Well, I could stroll away to a safe distance. Let mae see® & ) He bent his head in thought. Maria sat looking at him, but did not speak. ‘‘ Maria,” he said at last, ‘‘you know we have often talked of having an afternoon’s fishing in the Black Pool. I mean he and I. Suppose I remind Allan of it, and get him to meet me there? You could go out for a walk, and come upon us unexpectedly.” ‘““'Yes,” she said, eagerly. ‘‘ Could you make it for to-morrow ?— in the afternoon ?” Edgar took out his watch. ‘‘ How the time has slipped on!” he exclaimed. | ‘But about to-morrow ?” she cried, her eyes shining. ‘Well, I will contrive to see Allan some time to-day, and get him to make the appointment for to-morrow afternoon,” said Edgar. ‘“‘ He used to be fond of fishing. And when you come strolling up to us, young lady, I will hand my fishing-rod over to you, and leave you together for half an hour. What excuse can I make?” ‘‘We shall not want one—either of us,” she answered. “Then [ll go down to the Works this afternoon—lI dare say he’ll be: there.” So it was decided upon. In the course of the afternoon Edgar Vivian went out in pursuance of this. He sought Allan first at the mill. ‘The door-porter did not know whether his young master was there or not, and went into the counting house to inquire. He returned, saying, Mr. Allan was gone: he had been there all the morning but had left about an hour before. So Edgar went on to Moorland House. As he approached it, a carriage and pair drove through the gate, and he thought he had again missed the object of his search. But as the equipage followed the curve of the road, he saw that its occupants were only two CONNIE OOO KS (E() m