The Argosy — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

100 | The Story of Charles Strange. It was so long since she had seen her father—as she was pleased to call Major Carlen—that she had partly forgotten what he was like. He was expected now on a two days’ visit, and for him the house was being made to look its best. ‘The other visitor, coming by accident at the same time, was Arnold Ravensworth, the Rector’s nephew. Major Carlen’s promised visit was an event to the quiet Rector and his wife. All they knew of him was that he was stepfather to Blanche, and a man who moved in the gay circles of the world. The interest of Blanche Heriot’s money had paid for her education and dress. ‘The Major would have liked the fingering of it amaz- ingly ; but to covet is one thing, to obtain is another. Blanche’s money was safe in the hands of trustees ; but before Mrs. Carlen died she had appointed her husband Blanche’s personal guardian, with power to control her residence when she should have attained her eighteenth year. ‘That had been passed some time now, and Major Carlen had just awakened to his responsibilities. The first to arrive was Arnold Ravensworth, a distinguished- looking man, with a countenance, cold, it must be confessed, but full of intellect. And the next to arrive was not the Major. The day passed on to night. The trains came into the neighbouring station, but they did not bring Major Carlen. Blanche cried herself to sleep. She remembered how kind her papa used to be to her—indulging her and taking her about to see sights—and she had cherished a ereat affection for him. In fact, the Major had always indulged little Blanche. Neither had he come the next morning. After breakfast, Blanche went to the end of the garden and stood looking out across the field. The shady dingle, where as a little child she had sat to pick violets and primroses, was there; but she was gazing at something else— the path that would bring her father. Arnold Ravensworth came strolling up behind her. ‘You know the old saying, Blanche: a watched-for visitor never comes.” ‘Oh, dear, why do you depress me, Arnold? ‘To watch is some- thing. I shall cross the field and look up the road.” They started off in the sunshine. Blanche had a pretty straw hat on. She took the arm Mr. Ravensworth held out to her. Very soon, a stranger turned into the field and came swinging towards them. ‘¢ Blanche, is this the Major ?” It was a tall, large-limbed, angular man in an old blue cloak lined with scarlet. He had iron-grey hair and whiskers, grey, hard eyes, a large twisted nose, and very white teeth. Blanche laughed merrily. “That papa! What an idea you must have of him, Arnold! Papa was a handsome man with black hair, and had lost two of his front teeth. They were knocked out, fighting with the Caffres.” The stranger came on, staring intently at the good-looking young ECORNIC LOOKS aEO m