The Argosy — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

The Story of Charles Strange. 99 Yes, they had arrived; and had brought with them Blanche’s old friend, Cecilia Ravensworth, from White Littleham Rectory. How happy they were together, these two! It seemed an age since they had parted, and yet it was not in reality so very long ago. Lady Level remained the best part of the morning, talking of the old days of her happy, yet uneventful girlhood. Strolling leisurely through Cavendish Square on her way home, Blanche fell to thinking of the afternoon: speculating where it might be that her husband meant to take her. Perhaps to Hampton Court : she had never seen it and would like to do so: she would ask him to take her there. Quickening her pace, she soon reached her own door, and saw an empty cab drawn up before it. ‘Ts any visitor here ?” she asked of Sanders, when admitted. ‘No, my lady. I have just called the cab for his lordship.” Lord Level came out of the study at the sound of her voice, and turned with her into the front room. She thought he looked vexed —hurried. ‘* Blanche,” he began, ‘‘ I find I have to run down to Marshdale. © But I shall not be away more than a night if I can helpit. I shall be back to-morrow if possible: if not, you may expect me the next day for certain.” ‘‘'To Marshdale !” she repeated, in surprise and vexation. ‘‘ Then you will not be able to take me out this afternoon! I was hoping it might be to Hampton Court.” ‘You shall go to Hampton Court when I return.” ‘Take me with you to Marshdale.” ‘“T cannot,” he replied, decisively. ‘I am going down on busi- ness.” ‘Why did you not tell me of it this morning? Why have pro- posed to i “IT did not know of it then,” he interrupted. ‘‘ How dismayed you look, Blanche !” he added, half-laughing. ‘“‘T shall be very lonely, Archibald—all by myself here !” He said no more, but stooped to kiss her, and left the room, look- ing at his watch. ‘Dear, dear, I did not think it was quite so late!” he exclaimed. Turning sharply, for he had been about to enter the study, he ap- proached the front door, hesitated, then turned again, and went into the study. | “No, I can’t stop,” he said, coming to a final decision, as he once more came forth, shut the study door after him, and locked it, but did not take out the key. ‘‘ Blanche, don’t let anyone come in here ; I have left all my papers at sixes and sevens. If I wait to put them up I shall not catch Jenning.” ‘* Are you going to the train now, Archibald ?” ‘“No, no; Iwant to see Jenning. I shall come back before going to the train.” cConniclooolkks (C(O)