The Argosy — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

262 The Story of Charles Strange. ‘You have sent it back to me, you know; the bag and the thirty pounds.” “Yes, I sent it back—tardily. I cou/d not do it earlier, though the crime coloured my days with remorse, and I never knew a happy moment until it was restored. But Leonard had been back again, and restoration was not easy.” Miss Lennard opened the door at this juncture. ‘‘ Papa, the doctor is here. Can he come up? He says he ought to see you.” ‘‘Oh, certainly, he must come up,” I interposed. ‘Yes, yes, Charlotte,” said Lennard. The doctor came in, and stood looking at his patient, after putting a few questions. ‘‘ Well,” said he, “‘you are better; you will get over it.” ‘Do you really think so?” I asked joyfully. ‘Decidedly I do, now. It has been a sharp twinge, but the danger’s over. You see, when pain suddenly ceases, mortification sometimes sets in, and I could not be sure. But you will do this time, Mr. Lennard.” Lennard had little more to say ; and, soon after the doctor left, I prepared to follow him. “'There’s a trifle of salary due to me, Mr. Strange,” he whispered ; ‘that which has been going on since Quarter Day. I suppose you will not keep it from me?” “Keep it from you! No. Why should I? Do you want it at once? You can have it if you do.” Lennard looked up wistfully. ‘‘ You do not think of taking me back again ? You will not do that ?” “Ves I will. You and I shall understand each other better than ever now.” The tears welled up to his eyes. He laid his other hand—I had taken one—across his face. I bent over him with a whisper. ‘‘What has passed to-night need never be recurred to between us : and I shall never speak of it toanother. We all have our trials and troubles, Lennard. A very weighty one is lying now upon me, though it is not absolutely my own—4drought upon me, you see, as yours was. And it is worse than yours.” ‘“ Worse!” he exclaimed, looking at me. “More dangerous in its possible consequences. Now mind,” I broke off, shaking him by the hand; ‘‘ you are not to attempt to come to Essex Street until you are quite strong enough for it. But I shall see you here again on Monday, for I have two or three questions to ask you as to some of the matters that have transpired during my absence. Good-night, Lennard, keep up a good heart ; you will out- live your trials yet.” And when I left him he was fairly sobbing. ECORNIECLIOOKS.E© m