The Argosy — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

go The Story of Charles Strange. two or three days past, sir, I’ve been thinking that I ought to tell out to somebody responsible what it is that’s the matter with my missis, and I know of nobody nearer the family than you, sir. There’s her brother, in course, at the Hall, Captain Chantry, but my missis has held herself aloof from him and Lady Grace, and I know she’d be in a fine way if I spoke to him. Three or four days ago I said to myself, ‘The first time I see Mr. Strange, I’ll tell him the truth.’ Last night she was worse than she has been at all, quite raving; I got frightened, which is a complaint ’m not given to, and resolved not to let another day pass, and then, whether she lived or died, the responsibility would not lie upon my back.” Straightening myself, I stood gazing at Hatch. She had spoken rapidly. If I had caught all the words, I did not catch their meaning, “Yes ?” I said, mechanically. ‘And so, with morning light, sir, I wrote you that epistle.” “Yes, yes; never mind all that. What about Mrs. Brightman?” — Hatch dropped her voice to a lower and more mysterious whisper. «Sir, My missis gives way, she do.” ‘“‘ Gives way,” I repeated, gazing at Hatch, and still unable to see any meaning in the words. ‘‘ What do you say she does ?” Hatch took a step forward, which brought her on the hearthrug, close tome. ‘ Yes, sir; missis gives way.” “Gives way to what?” I reiterated. ‘‘To her superstitious fancies ?” ** No, sir, to stimilinks.” *'Te ” The meaning, in spite of Hatch’s obscure English, dawned upon me now. A cold shiver ran through me. Annabel’s mother! and honoured Henry Brightman’s wife ! * She takes stimulants !” I gasped. “Yes, sir; stimilinks,” proceeded Hatch. ‘ A’most any sort that comes anigh her. She likes wine and brandy best; but failing them, she’ll drink others.” Question upon question rose to my mind. Had it been known to Mr. Brightman? Had it been a prolonged habit? Was it deeply indulged in? But Annabel was her child, and my lips re- fused to utter them. “It has been the very plague of my life and my master’s to keep it private these many months past,” continued Hatch. ‘“ ‘* Hatch does this in the house, and Hatch does the other,’ the servants cry. Yes ; but my master knew why I set up my authority; and missis knew it too. It was to screen her.” ‘* How could she have fallen into the habit ?” “It has grown upon her by degrees, sir. A little at first, and a little, and then a little more. As long as master was here, she was kept tolerably in check, but since his death there has been nobody to restrain her, except me. Whole days she has been in her room, CORNIELOOOLKKS (E©) m