The Argosy — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

(154 A Shower of Daffodils. at the hotel to-morrow morning. I quite think it will be all right, and if so you can meet us at St. Pancras.” They had now reached the Grand Hotel, and parted with a hearty shake hands. And at that very time Evelyn Raymouth was seated by her dress- ing-room fire, more lovely than ever in her flowing white wrapper ; and her lips smiled, and the firelight danced in her bonny black eyes. She was thinking of the stranger who had gathered up her daffo- dils. ‘“‘ He certainly was very kind and very good looking,” she said, half aloud. ‘*I wonder who he is?” And she began mechanically twisting the curious ring she still_wore upon her delicate hand. It was of African workmanship, and had the twelve signs of the zodiac running round it amid a wreath of vine-leaves. As Evelyn touched this ring the contented smile left her face, and she looked down at it. “IT wonder why I must wear this ring? why I must always wear it? Jt is more hke a gentleman’s than alady’s. And what can be Mr. Hamilton’s reason for telling me I must take off my glove in St. Albans Cathedral, and lay my hand upon the shrine, with the ring in sight, at one o'clock? JI wonder if he planned to-morrow’s expedi- tion on purpose that it should be done ? and I wonder if people who suffer from gout have always strange fancies? But I would do more than that to please him. I dare say there is nothing in it, but his word is law to me.” And thought fled from the ring back to the daffodils, and by easy transition to the stranger again. If, THE pleased expression that had come to Evelyn Raymouth’s face when she found that Mr. Richmond’s friend, for whom he had begged an invitation, was no other than the hero of the concert episode, still lingered upon her fresh young face as the party of four stood before the fine east window of the cathedral. She looked more beautiful than yesterday. Perhaps her thoughts had something to do with it. Philip Hartley was near her, holding a little sketch-book upon his hat. Mrs. Hamilton and Mr. and Mrs. Richmond were discussing ‘* silver-glass” and Norman arches. Evelyn drew off her glove with a whimsical little smile and looked at the ring. Young Hartley looked at it too. He also saw the smile, and was not pleased with either. He remembered what his friend had said. At that moment one o’clock sounded. ‘“ Evelyn,” said Mrs. Hamilton, ‘“‘ we must go to the shrine.” They had already seen it, but if Mrs. Hamilton wished it, of course they could go again. This part of the cathedral was gloomy, and the gloom seemed to affect the party. They were all silent enough as Evelyn stretched out CONMICLOO KS. (E)