The Argosy — page 312: what you’re looking at

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

A Little Maid, an Old Maid and the- Major. 25, “ You ad tell me,” re-asserted Effie, when Maud interposed. ‘ Hush, Effie! It is not polite to contradict in that way. Miss Dodson is mistaken, but you must tell her so quietly.” ‘ Mistaken? When I——” Miss Dodson pulled up. She had been on the point of betraying the source of her information. ‘ Do you mean to assert, Miss Carleton, that you do zof know Major Murdoch—/¢he Major Murdoch who has taken Vine Cottage?” ‘Certainly I do. I have never exchanged a word with him. Except from hearsay, he is a perfect stranger to me, and to every member of my family in England. So much I have to say in answer to your questions, Miss Dodson. But as to the propriety of sucha cross-examination on your part, you must allow me to remark that there may be two opinions,” replied Maud with spirit. “There zs Major Murdoch,” suddenly exclaimed Mrs. Welbrow, who for reasons of her own had been longing to stop Miss Dodson’s tongue. | “Come, Effie, let us go,” said Maud, who turned pale with mingled feelings on recognising in the gentleman who had just driven up her chance acquaintance of the day before. Major Murdoch descended from the pony-carriage, then turned to address some observation to a pale little boy—presumably his son— who occupied the other seat. ‘Thus he had his back towards Maud, who hoped to slip past him unobserved. But he turned round just a minute too soon, and started perceptibly on seeing the young lady. Instinctively he raised his hat. Maud felt it rather than saw it for her eyes were cast down ; but she responded with the least little bend of her head. It was enough for the lynx eyes watching her. Miuiss Dodson and Mrs, Welbrow, exchanged a scandalised glance, and the former’s lips noiselessly shaped the one word ‘‘ Shameless !” Major Murdoch had come to buy stamps. ‘This purchase com- pleted, he said: ‘“‘ Would you tell me exactly where Elm Tree Cottage is? Sherlock, I think, is the name of the lady living there.” ‘The second turn to the right; third house on the left,” said Mrs. Welbrow ; then added affably: “ That was Miss Carleton, Mrs. Sherlock’s niece, who passed you this minute.” “That Miss Carleton P” The Major seemed surprised, interested, pleased. He even moved a step towards the door and looked after Maud’s vanishing figure. Vliss Dodson waited breathless, as did also Mrs. Welbrow. Would Major Murdoch say anything to enlighten them? But he did not: ne stood at the door in an absent-minded sort of way that was provokingly inscrutable. But if virtue is its own reward sometimes, curiosity is so very often. The Major asked for a post-card, and drew out a pocket pen. Miss Dodson’s eyes sparkled and an answering gleam flashed from ‘irs. Welbrow’s. The Major wrote a few lines; then an address. Vuiss Dodson, on pretence of glancing over a book on the counter, connicloooks (C(O)