The Argosy — page 359: what you’re looking at

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

338 The Mystery of Allan Grale. “There are strangers in the Ash-tree,” sadly answered Cicely; ‘and they have furnished it all anew. You would not know the old place.” Rose dropped again her head on her cousin’s arm. ‘‘ Take me back to Ragan,” she cried. ‘‘He had seen Ragan and he had liked it. Take me away from this cruel place where he died. Take me back to Ragan, Cicely, before it changes too !” CAA PPR Yee A JOURNEY NORTH. RosE felt very miserable at Dering Court during the melancholy days which succeeded George Vivian’s death and preceded his funeral. She could not make herself at home with any of its inmates, not even with Maria, though all tried to be kind to her. The poor old General, sorely shaken by his favourite nephew’s loss, could not be too punctiliously considerate concerning Rose. He feared lest some manifestation of pride and high-handedness on his part had tempted George into the secrecy of his marriage. But Rose shrank from the old gentleman despite all his pathetic courtli- ness; she shrank from Maria, too; she shrank from everybody but her own cousin Cicely. She could not even bear the attendants to come about her. She refused the simplest service, except when Cicely was there to render it. So the latter was allowed to come to the Court, and be with her for some hours every day. “Poor young person!” said Mrs. Vivian to Maria. “Ido not think she is at all extraordinary. Probably we should all feel just the same, if only we were blessed with blood relations capable of lighting fires and making perfect beef-tea.” Rose’s one cry was that she might be taken back to Ragan— the home her dead husband had found for her—the place which had so won his heart during his brief visit to it. She had made friends there: the McOrists and their “people” had been kind to her, and now the affliction which had recently befallen the newly married daughter of Ragan farm had made it a house of sorrow, with whose chastened spirit her own would be in harmony. Rose had been a comfort to the old people in their distress, and she wanted to be so still. Even before George was laid in the family grave, Maria Vivian had recognised that some such plan must be devised. Rose would never be at home among the refinement and luxury which in her foolish sirlhood she had coveted. She would be out of place at Dering Court ; and in truth they should feel out of place with her, though they would all be cautious not to show it. Her strong wish, therefore, to return to Ragan, was acceded to readily. General Vivian informed her in kind, delicate language, that he CORNICE KS 5 (Ee) m