The Argosy — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

Mr. Gordon: Shecialist. — 79 to-morrow. I dare not leave my partner longer alone, for I have only recently set up in London, and a great deal remains to be done. But I shall see you again, Miss Farringdon Griffiths. Promise me that you will bring your mother to see me in London.” He had taken a card-case from his breast pocket and was scrib- bling an address in the corner of the little slip of pasteboard. But Virginia could scarcely see to take it from him for the tears that were filling her eyes. ‘Tears were never far from the surface with her, and the heat and excitement of the day, the stranger’s discovery of her horrible secret, and his subsequent kind words had been almost too much for her sensitive little heart. It was well that the moon had considerately withdrawn her lhght, | so that Virginia’s condition was not discernible. Fearful, however, of betraying herself if she remained any longer, she hastily rose, drew her shawl round her, took the card from her companion’s hand, left him with a murmured word of farewell, and escaped to her room. When Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths retired for the night, she found Virginia already safely in bed, and apparently fast asleep. But the curiosity which she had with difficulty repressed through the evening was partially gratified, for on the dressing-table lay a gentleman’s card on which was neatly inscribed: Mr. GORDON, 27, Sefton Gardens, W. CROAT LER -If. MISS FARRINGDON GRIFFITHS. WHEN in her mother-country, Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths’ small means obliged her to lead a quiet and retired life in a country village. All the year round did she and Virginia screw and pinch, and grudge themselves each small luxury, almost necessary, of life, that every now and again, perhaps once in the two years, they might enjoy a trip abroad: live for one short month as others lived, without priva- tion or economy: their story of narrow means, home dress-making and a general servant, unknown and unsuspected. It was money well spent, Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths had felt in the old days, when Virginia was quite young and tolerably pretty. Every- one knew that there was no place like a mountaineering hotel for securing a suitable husband. But the years had passed, each celebrated spot in Switzerland had in turn been visited, and still Virginia had attracted no attention. And now Virginia was losing her youth. Her mother reluctantly admitted it to herself. Her best chances were over, and it was, indeed, already more than doubtful whether she would ever marry at all. Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths groaned inwardly at the thought. Her daughter’s continual presence and indiscriminating admiration were COMICOOOKS.C© mn