The Argosy — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

336 Lady Valeria. sensitive and like his sister’s, twitched a little. ‘I haven’t done much good to myself, or been a credit to anybody, I know, sir. I hope it won’t tell against me. I want to make a fresh start here. It was the work drove me wrong; indeed it was. After sitting screwed to a desk all day I used to feel crazy when I got loose again, and didn’t know what I was doing. My head isn’t strong enough for figures, sir.” Edric laughed a little, looked at the alert, soldier-like bearing of the boy, his open face, and eyes that looked wistful like Elsie’s sometimes. He wondered how far his promise to Elsie committed him, and whether the young fellow knew of it. ‘* What do your people at home say to this?” Sampson’s face fell. ‘‘I haven’t asked them. I just left a letter to say what I was going to do. Saturday was my last day at the office, so I came down here by the afternoon train. I didn’t know then that I shouldn’t be allowed to go back to explain. I think, perhaps, if my father had it out with me his mind would be more satisfied. Shall I ever be let away again, sir?” Edric felt more relieved now he found that he had done nothing to bring about the catastrophe. ‘I can’t say, but you'll find you are anything but a free agent now. Tied tighter than you ever were to the office.” “May be, sir. But I shan’t have to think.” “Certainly not. That’s done for you.” And Edric, marvelling at the way in which a profession and a man seem to fit now and then, went on his way. He rather wondered how he could best fulfil Elsie’s timid little request. He hoped she had not taken his half-jesting words for more than they were worth—little shy, confiding thing. He could keep an eye on the youngster and see how he got on, but he couldn’t think of anything else. Perhaps he ought to go and see the father and try to make Sampson’s peace with him? Yes, he certainly ought to do that. Not from motives of pure philanthropy by any means. He had a very distinct vision of Mrs. Damien smiling on him ever so graciously and thanking him for the kind interest he was showing in her protégé. He would get the Paramounts’ address and start off to town at once. First to the old father ; then to the Archdales—he felt somehow as if that interview with Hester would clear his mind mar- vellously. Last and late, so as to avoid the ugly rush of callers, to St. Maur Road. So he plotted and planned on his townward way ; and prospered— as such self-seeking deserved. As he drew near Lavender Row a misgiving seized him as to the propriety of his interference. He had a dim notion that a clergyman was the proper mediator in a family difficulty—especially when that family was a churchwarden’s. He would make for St. Fridolin’s and consult the Vicar, he thought ; and then, just as luck would have it, he came full upon de Cressy. ECOMMICOOOKS.E@ im