The Argosy — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

So Mr. Gordon: Specialist. to her an incessant géne and weariness. She longed for the freedom, the enlarged income, that she would enjoy could she but once free herself of this burden. Months passed. ‘The Farringdon Griffiths had long returned to the quiet routine of their country home life. But its tranquillity was disturbed. ‘Two fresh elements had entered into it: elements destined to change the whole course of events. One of these was the recollection Virginia ever cherished within her breast of the bearded Scotchman. His distinct personality, his peculiar speech, his huge unpolished gentleness, so to speak, had all made a vivid impression on the meek little woman, so accustomed to being ignored. Day and night the image of Mr. Gordon was pre- sent with her. His little card became her most precious possession. The flowers she had worn on that Sunday evening, carefully dried within the leaves of her prayer-book, constituted the tenderest link. Not long after Christmas an elaborate card was forwarded to her from the Bar. It did not take much penetration to identify the handwriting of the address with that which had scribbled the direction in the corner of Mr. Gordon’s card. ‘This fact caused Virginia to realise, with a painful sensation about the heart, that her admirer was evidently quite ignorant of her whereabouts. She debated long and anxiously with herself whether she should bring her home-address before him by a note in which she should thank him for his remem- brance of her; but deciding mentally that this might be interpreted as forward on her part, she gave herself over instead to the un- divided worship and care of the Christmas remembrance. The other element which disturbed and agitated the whole home atmosphere was Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths’ increasing deafness. At first she had bravely ignored all symptoms of the affliction. She had a slight cold, which affected her hearing. Virginia mumbled insufferably and must really have to raise her voice above a whisper. But at last the fact had to be recognised and faced. Though Virginia and the automatic maid-of-all-work might combine to conceal any- thing unpleasant from their mutual task-mistress, it was not to be expected that her friends would give themselves the same trouble. There came a day in early spring when, the Vicar’s wife having paid her weekly call, Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths and Virginia sat alone together over the fire in their little drawing-room, and the elder lady set herself resolutely to talk the matter over with her daughter. As might have been anticipated, Virginia had to bear a torrent of reproaches and reproofs for having so long concealed the fact from her mother. Then, when Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths had somewhat relieved herself by this outburst, she complainingly enquired what was to be done, since it was quite impossible for her to afford the best advice and a course of treatment, as recommended by the Vicar’s lady. ECORNICLOOKS (SO)