The Argosy — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

198 Fohn Davidson. Just before his departure his wife had managed to whisper a word of her alarm to nim, and he first had opened his placid blue eyes, and then had laughed and said he did not feel himself entitled to interfere, | Then she had tried reasoning with Victoria. ‘There was such a thing, she assured her beautiful sister very gravely, as compromising oneself by studying even a man’s forehead too seriously. Victoria had laughed still more than Mr. Hattley. As the days went on and things seemed to be becoming more pronounced, Mrs. Hattley decided that some serious action must be taken. Victoria was undeniably a great beauty and belonged to an excellent family. The very contemplation of such an union was ridiculous. She had ordered her carriage this morning, leaving Victoria ab- sorbed in the contemplation of a miniature loom, and had driven along the dusty roads to the factory, determined on what she was to do. ‘The first person she saw, coming out of a side doorway, was John Davidson. She went over and shook hands with him particularly graciously. “Tt is so bitterly chilly,” she remarked. ‘I quite regretted all the way having ordered an open carriage.” ‘‘T am sorry there is no fire in here,” said Mr. Davidson, opening the door of a little private office. ‘‘I can easily have it lighted.” Oh, no, thank you,” she answered ; ‘I am not going to stay.” She spoke hurriedly and with a certain trouble in her manner. - John Davidson’s steady eyes were noting her unusual confusion, and she knew that it was so. ‘‘I—I have had a telegram from my hus- band. He has arrived quite safely at Chicago,” she ended, feeling unequal to proceed with what she had to say at once. “Yes, the journey so far appears to have been remarkably plea- sant,” he answered, politely. “I had a telegram from him this morning myself.” : Oh, well, Mr. Davidson, the fact is, it was not exactly about the telegram I came. I have something I wish to say to you, and I can only hope that you will accept it in the spirit in which it is spoken. I consider it right to explain to you now what I think my sister Victoria ought to have explained herself at the outset, in case of any misunderstanding on your part—that, being exceedingly devoted to the study of physiognomy, and judging your face and forehead a remarkable one, she has been ardently cultivating your society with a view of improving her knowledge of the science. Mr. Davidson, if you unhappily have mistaken this interest of my sister’s for a deeper feeling, I can only say that I regret much that it should be so, and I would ask you to remember, should you be inclined to think hardly of Victoria, that she is very young.” It was not strictly true all this that she was saying to him—not true to the letter; but she looked him straight in the face as she said m COMMICLMOOKS, (Eo)