The Argosy — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

22 Faithful wnto Death. ‘Just now he is living at the Queen’s Hotel in this town. He has just come into an estate four miles off, and into some complicated law business as well, which I am trying to disentangle for him.” ‘“‘ An estate four miles off!” repeated Aunt Di, looking up. ‘‘ Do you mean Malcolm Park, Tom ?” “Just so, Aunt Di.” “Well, I never!” cried aunt. ‘‘ You ought to have said so last night, Tom. I had no idea he was one of those Malcolms,” ‘““Ts the estate a large one, Mr. Tom?” asked Eva. “Very fair in a moderate way—about three thousand a year,” replied Tom. Eva opened her eyes. ‘“ Three thousand a year! Is he married, Mr. Tom?” “ Not that I know of,” was Tom’s short answer. They all went out that night to a lecture. I excused myself, and waited at home, hoping for Lionel Payne. He did not come quickly. At eight o’clock Igrew uneasy. Half- past eight, hopeful still, I turned down the gas in the parlour, drew up the blind, and sat by the window, looking out upon the moonlight. Presently, one, two, three—nine strokes pealed, like a knell, from the old church not far off; and I knew it was useless to watch for him now. But no; a ring sounded at the gate bell, and I saw one of the servants go out to answer it. It was only a parcel. It was nothe. I sat back in my chair and closed my eyes, half sick with the disappoint- ment. He must have gone to the lectures to join Eva. When I looked up from my despair the room had turned dark and chilly. A cloud was passing over the moon. In my heart were shadows too. I burst into a flood of bitter tears ; and, covering my face with my hands, sobbed aloud. It was very silly and undigni- fied ; but the stricken spirit gives way at times. ‘“ Why, Grace, what is the matter ?” Had anyone shot me, I could not have started up more quickly. Lionel stood there. In my sobbing I had not heard him enter. He drew a chair beside mine, and we sat talking in the moonlight. I let him gather what it was which caused my distress. At first he did not deny it or answer; he sat gazing outwards as if in thought, the sad expression in his eyes being very perceptible then. ‘““T never thought you were given to indulging fancies, Grace,” he said at last. “TI do not think I have been.” ‘“ My dear—don’t you know—don’t you remember,” he continued, his voice broken with an emotion at which I greatly wondered, ‘‘ that I could not leave you for another without breaking our oath ?” ‘‘ Lovers’ vows are lightly kept,” I answered. ‘‘T regard that oath as a solemn obligation, Grace,” he rejoined earnestly. ‘‘If ever I am tempted to break it—if ever you should CORMIGCMOOOKS COR