The Argosy — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

136 Christobel. Mrs. Chisholm, descending the stairs one day and peeping over the banister, saw Mr. Sherlock in the act of ushering out Mr. Petrie. They paused at the hall-door, and exchanged a few words. ‘These had reference to some previous conversation, but a fragment of the phrase which reached the listener’s ear struck her with amazement. She stealthily crept down a few steps, and, hiding herself in a curve of the landing, was fortunate enough to hear a little more. Half an hour later she drove off hastily in a cab ‘‘to her milliner’s,” . as she took care to inform Geraldine. But in that case the milliner lived in a very unfashionable neighbourhood, for the four-wheeler deposited Mrs. Chisholm at Scotland Yard. Lif. THE next evening Fortescue, going as usual to the Mirandolas’, saw on arriving that something was amiss. In his quick anxiety for Christobel, it was a relief to him to learn that the misfortune which had come upon the household had nothing to do with her. “Tt was the poor cousin who was dead,” explained Marianna, struck painfully, like all Italians, by the coming of the King of Terrors, but obviously more scared than grieved. ‘‘ He died at last quite sud- denly—foveretto—although they had been expecting the end for some days. Sad? Oh, yes! Death is always that. And then he suffered very much, which of course was dreadful to witness. Other- wise —-——” Marianna checked herself suddenly—strangely as it even seemed to Fortescue—and, with a curious look of compunction, she hurried towards Christobel, who noiselessly and slowly had just entered the room. “Good heavens! How pale you are!” exclaimed Fortescue, as he, too, went forward and took her listless hand. She was indeed deadly pale, and in her eyes was the strained, intent look that belongs to strong and suppressed emotion. “This death has been too trying for you. You have had too much watching ——” ‘Hush !” interrupted Christobel. ‘‘ The watching was long, but it is ended. You must not grudge it to him. You do not under- stand.” He did not understand! It was the second time she had used that expression. Did all the mystery of her life lie there? She had sunk into a chair, her hands folded in her lap—passive— silent—strangely still. Marianna went over to her, and began gently stroking her hair. The fondling seemed lke an effort at consolation, for 1t was accom- panied by softly murmured epithets of pity, and hints.at some future in which hope would revive. Fortescue stood dumb ; feeling that he ought to go, yet passionately longing to stay. Suddenly there was a peal at the bell, then the sound of many } 7 CONNIE OO KS (E(©) m