The Argosy — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

The Story of Charles Strange. 8 5 “No, sir. I had one, but it was bought last week. There’s ‘Fatherless Fanny,’ sir; that’s a very nice book; it was thought a deal of some years ago. And there’s the ‘Water Witch,’ by Cooper. That’s good, too.” I remembered the voice now. It was that of Leah’s mysterious visitor of the night before, who had been curiously inquisitive about me. Recognition came upon me with a shock, and opened up a new fear. Taking the ‘‘ Water Witch ”—for which I paid fourpence—I walked on again. Could it be possible that Zom feriot was passing himself off for me? Why, this would be the veriest folly of all. But no; that was altogether impossible. Anxious and uneasy I turned about again and again. ‘The matter ought to be set at rest, yet I knew not how to do it. I entered the shop, which contained two small counters: the one covered with papers, the other with smoking gear. Lee stood behind the former, serving a customer, who was inquiring for last week’s number of the “ Fireside Friend.” Behind the other counter sat a young girl, pretty and modest. I turned to her. *‘ Will you give me a packet of bird’s-eye ?” Ves, sir,” she answered in pleasant tones ; and, opening a drawer, handed me the tobacco, ready wrapped up. It would do for Watts. Bird’s-eye, I knew, was his favourite mixture. “Thank you, sir,” she said, returning me the change out of a florin. ‘* Anything else, sir?” “Yes; a box of wax matches.” But the matches were not to be found, and the girl appealed to ker father. “Wax matches,” returned the man from across the shop. ‘‘ Why they are on the shelf behind you, Betsy.” The matches were found, the girl took the money for them, and thanked me again. All very properly and modestly. The girl was evidently as modest and well-behaved as a girl could be. So that was Betsy! But who was it that was courting her in my name? One of my office clerks—or Captain Thomas Heriot? Captain Thomas Heriot did not make his appearance, and I began to hope that Leah had been mistaken, It grew late. I was heartily tired, and turned to make my way home. Why I should have looked round I cannot tell, but I did look round just as I reached the end of the street. Looming slowly up in the distance was a sailor, with a sailor’s swaying walk, and he turned into the shop. I turned back also, all my pulses quickened. I did not follow him in, for we might have betrayed ourselves. I stood outside, occupied with the old books again, and pulled the collar of my coat well up, and my hat well down. Not here must there be any mutual recognition. DOOKS @) COnA (C(O) im