The Argosy — page 365: what you’re looking at

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

344 Lady Valeria. deacon by the time you come into the property. It would be only decent.” “There was no question of the title, you remember, at the time when I decided to take orders, and I should have done the same in any case. Nevermind me. ‘Tell me about yourself and Amy. Is she at Malta ?” ‘No, of course not! JI brought her home a fortnight ago. We ought to have been in England a month sooner, but there was some- thing going on that Amy woud stay for. As usual, she overdid it and was awfully bad. I thought I should never get her to England alive. Her mother came to us at Southsea, and uncommonly glad I was to see her. Well, the affair is over at last, thank goodness !” The Vicar looked up with an awakened face. ‘‘ Do you mean to say ——?” “Of course Ido. Didn’t I write and tell you about the baby? Such a jolly little beggar! No? I suppose I didn’t as it only arrived four days ago. I really had no time for anything but looking after Amy before it came.” ‘“ Have you told them at Altcar?” “Well, no, I haven’t. I shall see them on Monday. I want to stay with you till then, if you’ll have me, and I thought it would save bother if I kept it quiet till we met. My mother will be agitating for details you know, and I’d rather be shot than write anything longer than a post-card. I wanted to beicerapry only Amy wouldn’t, as it was only a girl.” ao EER 3 a “ Didn't I say so? Awfully disappointing—at least, Amy feels it. I’m just as pleased, but she, poor little woman, had set her heart on its being a boy; and, in fact, was rather hurt that my father didn’t expect her to come to Altcar—for it to be born there, you know.” ‘“My mother’s state of health,” Eustace began, apologetically. “Oh, yes, I know, but Amy said when it wasa question of the birth of the heir ——” Major Stannard stopped suddenly in some confusion, which his brother covered by a suggestion about preparing for dinner, and conducted him upstairs, smiling to himself rather grimly. There was. a strong likeness between the brothers, as they sat facing one another in the lamp-light at the small round table. That Major Stannard’s hair was lighter and crisper, his mouth covered by a heavy blond moustache, and his eyes round and boyish, instead of deep-set and thoughtful, seemed absolutely the only points of difference except that of expression ; and that was less striking when Eustace brightened up at his brother’s presence, or the recollection of Amy’s sufferings toned down Randolf’s high spirits. The consciousness of the slip of the tongue into which he had been betrayed was still present with the Major. He glanced once or twice at his brother, doubtfully, and at last put down his knife and fork and began apologetically. CORnNICLOOKS (CO) im