The Argosy — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

4 Lady Grace. than she is. However, such mistakes, I am told, are often occurring and the matrons of the parish are up in arms.” ‘“ But do they expect you to look after the sewing of the school?” breathlessly asked Edith. ‘ Not exactly ; but they think I might provide a remedy : someone who would do so.” ‘“ How stupid they are! I’m sure Miss Turner does what she can with such a tribe. Not that I think she is particularly clever; and were there any lady who would supervise occasionally, it might be better ; mamma can’t, but —— ” “That is just it,” interrupted Mr. Baumgarten, laughing. ‘‘They tell me I ought to help Miss Turner to a supervisor, by taking to myself a wife.” He looked at Edith as he spoke, and her face happened to be turned full upon him. The words dyed it with a glowing crimson, even to the roots of her soft brown hair. In her confusion she knew not whether to keep it where it was, or to turn it away : her eye- lids had dropped, glowing also ; and Edith Dane could have boxed her own ears as heartily as Dame Giles had boxed the unhappy Miss Betsy’s. “Tt cannot be thought of, you know, Edith.” “ What cannot?” “My marrying. Marry on two hundred a year, and expose my wife, and perhaps others, to poverty and privation? No, that I will. never do.” “The Parsonage must be put in repair if you marry,” stam- mered Edith, not in the least knowing what she said, but com- pelling herself to say something so that she might appear uncon- cerned. “And a great deal of money it would take to do it. I told Squire Wells if he could get my tithes increased to double their present value, then I might venture upon a wife. He laughed and replied I might look out for a wife who had ten thousand pounds.” ‘Such wives are not easily found,” murmured Edith Dane. “Not by me,” returned Mr. Baumgarten. ‘‘ A college chum of miine, never dreaming to aspire to anything better than I possess now, married a rich young widow in the second year of his curacy, and lives on the fat of the land, in pomp and luxury. I would not have done it.” ¢¢ Why P )) “Because no love went with it; even before his marriage he allowed himself to say as much to me; disparaged her in fact. No; the school and the other difficulties, which are out of my line, must do as they can, yet awhile.” “Of course, mamma would be the proper person to continue to look after these things for you as she used to do, if she were not incapacitated.” COMMIECOOOKS»C© im - OO a =r