The Argosy — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

The Missing Rubies. 175 had paused there and a boy’s heart had danced to its music. The freshness of its song was unchanged, the merry rush of its waters was as gladsome as ever; but the laughter that used to blend with its tone was gone. In those bygone days of his bright youth, she had not known Godwin Earle. It had been reserved for her to meet the way-worn, weary man, and bless him with the full sweetness of a woman’s first love. And so true and deep was this love of hers, that she craved of heaven no higher boon than to walk always by his side to the journey’s end. On each side of the stream were the wooded banks, rich with the purple and gold of May-time and fresh with glorious green. It was lovely to see the soft spots of colour showing here and there among long grass and drooping boughs—lovely to watch the lights flashing on the hasty tide. ‘The song of the waters and the charm of the place soothed her troubled spirit and gave her peace. She was moving slowly on again, when a tall, elderly lady, carrying a basket full of cowslips, came to meet her with a placid smile. It startled her a little to find herself face to face with Jane Earle. But one glance at that undisturbed countenance assured her that Aunt Jane had heard nothing unusual. She had been taking a morning walk in the lanes and meadows, and was returning laden with spoils. “T am enjoying this early summer-time,” said the old lady, contentedly. ‘‘ Did you ever see such a wealth of cowslips as we have this year? And they are so fine, too?” Beautiful,” replied Beatrice, bending over the basket. But she was not thinking of the yellow flowers that breathed sweetly on her face. She was wondering at Aunt Jane’s unbroken serenity. How could she find life so pleasant when the boy whom she had loved was banished from his home for ever ? ‘You would have missed all this sweetness if you had stayed in town,” continued Jane, cheerfully. ‘‘Are you not very glad to be here? ” But the question, coming at that moment, was more than Beatrice could bear. Giving one hasty glance at the speaker, she suddenly burst into tears, and sobbed out a passionate answer. * Oh, no, no! I wish that I had never left London. I wish— with all my soul—that I could go home this very day !” ‘My dear Miss Ward, forgive me—pray forgive me,” said the old lady, in pained surprise. ‘‘ I had no idea that my words would give such distress,” (To be continued. ) comicoooKks (S©) an