The Argosy — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

Only a Year or Two Ago. 283 shade from the grave, and so much as his brother had looked the very last time he had the pleasure of seeing him in life and quarrelling with him, that the lawyer started out of his chair in mortal terror. ‘He was a married man but had no family, and a little help to his poor widowed sister-in-law would never have made his capacious coffers much the lighter. But he had not given it. “Uncle George,” said the young man, when the first few em- barrassing minutes were over, ‘‘ I have come to ask you to do something for my mother. I should never have thought of asking such a thing while I was able to work; but I can no longer do that. ‘They pay me my salary still at Coingolds’, but that will soon cease. I shall be gone, and . “Gone!” interrupted the lawyer gruffly, for he was feeling very much upset.—‘‘I must say, Charles, you are enough to startle one; you are nothing but a shadow. Where shall you be, pray ?” The shadow did not answer quickly. Involuntarily, as it seemed, his eyes glanced through the window at the blue sky above. “Don’t you perceive that I shall be gone, Uncle George?” he said, in a soft low tone that had a tremble init. ‘It can’t be very long first now, I think. And then poor mother will have nothing. Nothing at all. JI can see no prospect before her whatever.” Mr. George Lavender, who hated to be put out, and always turned cross when he was, sat sideways, tapping his gold pencil case upon the table, and did not answer. He had his face turned to the fire ; his legs were crossed. “It is not much she would need, uncle.” ‘“Not more than a thousand a year I suppose,” retorted the lawyer in mockery. “About fifty pounds, I thought, uncle. We have had to live sparingly, and she is not used to much. A hundred a year does not go far when everything has to come out of it. I have had to dress fairly well, you see ; and there was my education Poor mother!” he broke off with a catch of the breath. ‘“T suppose you are letting this doubt trouble you ? ” ‘Tt has troubled me lately all day and all night, Uncle George.” “Well, Pl think about what you have been saying, and let you know my decision,” conceded Mr. George Lavender. ‘‘ Your coming here in this unexpected manner has taken me by surprise, young man, and—and—I’m not accustomed to be surprised, 4nd don’t like it.” Charles rose, thanked his uncle, and held out his hand depre- catingly, uncertain whether he might presume to do so. The elder man shook it, however. * Will you take a glass of wine before you go?” “N o, thank you,” replied Charles with hesitation. He would have liked the wine very much; he needed something of the sort ; but he was so weak and tottery that he feared his head might not be CORNICLIOO <5) (CO) an