The Argosy — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

298 In the Past. was left without money, relations or friends. I was brought up to the stage, and have fought my way upwards until I now hold a first-rate position, considering my age: and I am not so much your senior as you might suppose. But the world has an ageing effect, and I have lived in the world all my life.” ‘“T cannot understand your interest in me,” said Frank. “You love your mother,” replied Mr. Carson, after a somewhat lengthy pause. ‘‘ When you sang that last ballad I was sitting in the shadow by the piano, and saw your emotion ; although,” he hastened to add, as he saw the young man start uneasily, ‘no one else did. And I love, I worship my mother’s memory. ‘That should establish a bond of sympathy between us. ‘Then, too, you are beginning your fight with the world and fortune; the same fight that I have had, and am still in the thick of. If we are not equal to throwing a look or word of sympathy to a companion in the conflict, heaven pity us. But the kettle’s boiling,” he cried, suddenly breaking off. ‘* Now I want you to have a cup of coffee before you turn in.” Frank gratefully accepted and drank the refreshment offered him. But he was now very weary. Mr. Carson’s watchful eye saw that he could scarce hold his head up. ‘Youre sleepy, I see,” he said. ‘I’m glad I’m not, for I must sit up now until rehearsal at 11 o’clock this morning, studying a new part. You must turn into my bedroom and do the sleeping for me.” ‘No, indeed,” cried Frank, starting into wakefulness. ‘“I couldn’t think of such a thing as depriving you of your bed. If you will allow me to dose in this chair, or ——” ‘My dear fellow,” interrupted Carson, ‘‘ you are too sleepy to be logical. Why should the bed—small, but not uncomfortable—in the next room remain unoccupied, when there is a man in this room half dead with fatigue. I must sit up and study this part. If you don’t use the bed no one will. ‘There; take this candle, and be off with you. We'll have a chat to-morrow. Good-night, and pleasant dreams!” Frank shook his host’s hand silently, but the silence was more eloquent than speech. As he stretched his weary limbs under the bed-clothes he thought of his mother, and of his newly-found friend. He remembered the good and forgot the evil, and in a few moments he slept. Left alone, Mr. Carson sat gazing dreamily into the fire. He had nothing to study. He knew his part in the play that was to be re- hearsed that day, perfectly. The fire glowed upon a comely face, old beyond the years it had seen, but attractive even in its seriousness. ‘There was something in it that said “I have endured ;” there was earnestness and power too, and more than the most thoughtful observer could read in a casual glance. ‘ Frank Dewar,” murmured Mr. Carson, thoughtfully. “ Strange COMIC OOOKS. CO