The Argosy — page 314: what you’re looking at

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

In the Past. 295 IIT. THE BULWER was a small and unpretentious club of a literary character, and Frank Dewar was its newest and youngest member. Hither on the night of his dismissal from home he immediately repaired. He had several friends among the members, including the Mr. Tom Anson of whom he had spoken to his mother; and as it was the Club social evening, he was sure to find most of them there. He was greeted by a buzz of welcome. His company was particu- larly acceptable on social nights, as he played the piano well, and could use the light tenor voice he possessed with considerable effect. Tenors are always socially popular now-a-days. Mr. Tom Anson, who, being editor of a small weekly paper, was considered quite a personage at the club, immediately came forward to greet the young man. ‘‘ Better late than never!” he cried. ‘‘I was afraid you were not going to turn up.” | ‘‘] want to speak to you a moment,” said Frank, taking his arm, and drawing him aside. ‘‘ What’s the matter? You look quite excited.” ** I’ve left home for good, ‘Tom.” Mr Anson expressed his surprise in a prolonged stare. *¢ What have you done that for, lad?” “JT couldn’t help myself,” replied Frank. ‘‘ My father turned me out. You know we've been getting on horribly for a long time. He’s a perfect tyrant, doesn’t think I ought to be out after dark, and because I couldn’t meet his views—well, he’s given me the sack.” ‘And what are you going to do ?” ejaculated Tom, sympathetically. ‘Make a living somehow, of course; with my pen, if it’s good enough.” “Ts the old gentleman going to supply you with coin.” “No,” answered Frank, colouring. ‘I wouldn’t take it from him.” Tom glanced at the young face with superior pity. “ And, I say, Tom, I want you to put me in the way of getting comfortable lodgings. Any vacant rooms in your house?” “Oh! [ll see that you’re all right, my lad,” cried Mr. Anson, care- lessly. ‘‘ And now for the present let’s enjoy ourselves and forget all this bother.” In a few minutes the general conviviality was resumed, and Frank became the life and soul of the party. Never had his spirits been so high, so wild. He fairly carried the company with him, and the evening was afterwards looked back upon as one of the most success- ful in the history of the Club. It was considerably past midnight, and Frank was at the piano, where he had been singing song after song. His voice was small but sweet and sympathetic, and he liked singing. He was about cCoMmicoooKks (CO)