The Argosy — page 296: what you’re looking at

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

The Missing Rubies. | Pig Chow iam 4 XV IT. THE MISSING RUBIES, THE wheels of life had been running smoothly with Pauline Valerot for many months. She no longer sighed in vain for amusements ; no longer sat at her window and envied the girls passing by. ‘There were pleasant houses to go to; pleasant people to meet. Her friend, Julia de Busigny, had come from Paris, and admitted her into new circles. Madame de Busigny was a widow; a pretty, gay little American, who had given herself and her fortune to a poor French gentleman. Monsieur de Busigny had died just in time to save the fortune. And Julia, by no means inconsolable, had come to take up her quarters for a time in London. The widow was well protected in her rooms in Torrington Square, but she managed to enjoy herself to the utmost. ‘There was a grave brother from Boston, who read industriously at the British Museum ; and there was a true Yankee aunt with a talent for managing. But neither brother nor aunt interfered with her doings, nor did they take much notice of her friends. Being intensely self-satisfied, Julia could afford to be good-natured. Her liking for Pauline was quite sincere as far as it went, and the two women amused themselves very well. On Sunday evening, Madame Valerot began the business of dress- ing early. .She wanted to try the effect of a new gown; a ravishing combination of crimson and silver-grey, and cascades of creamy lace. And as she stood before the mirror that hung between her two windows, she congratulated herself (not unreasonably) on the charms of the sumptuous little person reflected there. A message had been left for her in the afternoon by a young girl :— Madame de Busigny would send the carriage at a quarter to eight, instead of eight. Precisely at a quarter to eight the wheels came rolling up to the door. Madame Valerot turned and took a last look at herself in the © glass. What a pretty woman she was! How well diamonds looked on people who had dark-brown eyes! She smiled at her own image ; the bright innocent smile of a well-pleased child. And then she caught up that favourite white fluffy shawl of hers, and tripped lightly downstairs. | The carriage was a heavy, old-fashioned, closed vehicle, made to seat four persons. William had the hall-door opened, and just outside on the pavement stood a decent-looking young woman witha pleasant ruddy face. “I beg your pardon, madame,” she said, respectfully, with a slight foreign accent. ‘“‘ But Madame de Busigny has told me to come to her this evening. And there are some parcels—important parcels, that must be taken without fail.” “Very well,” said Pauline carelessly, VOL. XLIV. ecomnriebooks (GO) An