The Argosy — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

ee ol UI Cy OS YF, APRIL, 1888. THE STORY OF CHARLES STRANGE. BY MRS. HENRY WOOD, AUTHOR OF “EAST LYNNE." Lee ER Se ES CHAPTER X. THE HOUSE AT MARSHDALE, [7 was a gloomy day, not far off the gloomy month of November, and it was growing towards mid-day, when a train on a small line, branching from the direct London line, drew up at the somewhat insignificant station of Upper Marshdale. A young and beautiful lady, without attendants, descended from a first-class carriage. ‘‘ Any luggage, ma’am?” inquired a porter, stepping up to her. « A small black bag ; nothing else.” The bag was found in the van, and placed on the platform. A family, who also appeared to have arrived at their destination, closed round the van and were tumultuous over a missing trunk, and the lady drew back and accosted a stolid-looking lad, dressed in the rail- way uniform. ‘“‘ How far is it to Marshdale ?” ‘*Marshdale! Why, you be at Marshdale,” returned the boy, in sulky tones. “TI mean Marshdale House.” ‘ Marshdale House ?—-That be my Lord Level’s place,” said the boy, still more sulkily. ‘‘It be a matter of two mile,” - ‘* Are there any carriages to be hired?” ‘'There’s one ; a fly ; he waits here when the train comes in.” ‘Where is it to be found?” “Tt stands in the road, yonder. But if ye wants the fly, it’s of no use wanting. It have been booked by them folks squabbling over their boxes : they writed here yesterday for it to be ready for ’em.” The more civil porter now came up, and the lady appealed to him. He confirmed the information that there was only this one convey- ance to be had, and the family had secured it. Perhaps, he added, the lady might like to wait until they had done with it. VOL. XLV. R Conniclbooolks (CO) mn