The Argosy — page 335: what you’re looking at

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

314 THE MIS StU BES By SARAH DOUDNEY. CHAPTER VI. NEW FRIENDS AND OLD. ME: MILTON came up the stairs with her cap a little awry, and an unusual light in her faded eyes. She was evidently excited ; and excitement with her was so rare a thing that Beatrice (herself wrought upon by the strange music), began to feel almost frightened. Had something happened? She hoped that Harriet would speak out soon, and not keep her in suspense. “Truth is stranger than fiction!” When Mrs. Milton had delivered herself of this little platitude, Beatrice knew that every- thing must be all right. ‘‘I shall never be severe upon novelists any more, for making the most unlikely things come to pass; and in future I shall always believe in Richard’s instincts. You may remember he knew instinctively that Mr. Earle was perfectly to be trusted ? ” “Oh, has he found out anything about Mr. Earle? You are so slow, Harriet!” ‘ Beatrice, your hair wants brushing, and you must be quick about it, for we are going to have tea. As to Mr. Earle, he is downstairs with my husband at this moment, waiting quietly for your appear- ance.” ‘““T must have slept a long time.” The girl hurried to the toilet- table, and began to smoothe her wavy locks with fingers that trembled slightly. ‘But does Mr. Milton know Mr. Earle? If there’s anything to tell, why not tellit quickly ?” “Tt can’t be told quickly, child, when it’s a long story. Itseems that after Mr. Earle left you yesterday, he took it into his head to go into the City and seek an interview with Mr. Corder. It was Mr. Corder, you know, who bought my husband’s wine business, and he pays Richard a good salary for conducting it. You have heard of that?” “Ves, I have heard of that. But Mr. Earle said he was without friends—how could he say so, when he knew Mr. Corder?” ‘* Because he did not know that Mr. Corder was willing to be his friend. It was a happy inspiration that led him to Aldersgate Street ; I daresay we shall hear more about it later on,” said Mrs. Milton, leading the way downstairs. Beatrice followed, with a full heart, and a head that was not perhaps quite as clear as usual. It was a great happiness to know COMMICMOOKSsEOKn