The Argosy — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

The Missing Rubies. 233 “ Not necessary to believe the worst, only to be prepared for the worst, Beatrice.” “‘T don’t see much difference between the two things. If you are prepared for anything, of course you are expecting it. But that’s just your way, Harriet; when we were going for a long walk you always armed yourself with an umbrella, and distrusted the clearest of skies.” “It was true wisdom, my dear. Even if I did not use the umbrella, it was a comfort to know that it was ready for use.” “Tt wasn’t a comfort, it was a nuisance. <A precaution is always a nuisance, I believe. And if we have to go through life suspecting a swindler in every new acquaintance, I, for one, shall be very glad when the time comes for me to seek a better sphere.” ‘“‘ Beatrice, dear, for shame! A young girl must be contented with life as it is, and take it patiently.” ““T can’t be contented with the kind of life that you describe,” declared the girl, with a little shake of her sunny head. *“Do you know, my dear Harriet, I sympathise with Beatrice!” The remark came from Mr. Milton, who had finished his breakfast, and was just ready to be off to the city. ‘‘I confess I don’t like to see young people over-cautious, although you are right—as you always are—in putting them upon their guard. Now about this young man who travelled with her; a sort of instinct tells me that he is perfectly to be trusted. I can’t account for this instinct in the least; and yet it would be impossible for anyone to reason it away.” “What a dear man Mr. Milton is,” thought Beatrice, and her blue eyes flashed him a swift glance of gratitude. He carefully buttoned his gloves, kissed his wife, and took his departure. ‘“My husband is the most confiding creature in the world,” said Mrs. Milton, with a sigh. ‘“* He trusts everybody in the sweetest childlike way, and gets abominably imposed upon.” ‘* Harriet, I am sure he is perfectly delightful ! ” ‘* My dear, he is simply an angel.” Mrs. Milton spoke in a solemn tone. “ But what he would do without me, heaven only knows! Let me see; I believe I never told you how we came to live in Wimpole Street. Soon after we were married, my husband’s uncle died and left him the lease of this house and all the furniture. The lease has still twenty years to run, and it seemed to me that we had better come here and let part of the house, which is infinitely too large for us, than stop in our cottage at Shepherd’s Bush. I delight in managing a large house, and I always hated a small one. Richard opposed the plan at first, but he is quite contented now.” ‘And the plan has answered,” said Beatrice. ‘‘ I am not surprised at your success. My grandfather always declared that you had a genius for managing an establishment. But I am glad you keep this charming room for yourselves.” The Miltons’ sitting-room was on the dining-room floor, at the back conniclooolks (CO)