The Argosy — page 313: what you’re looking at

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

292 A Little Maid, an Old Maid and the Major. took a look out of the tail of her eye at the post-card. The colour rose in her cheeks, and Mrs. Welbrow felt consoled for being able to see nothing herself by the conviction that her ally had seen some- thing. The Major said ‘‘Good-day” civilly, bowed slightly, and getting again into the carriage, drove off in the direction of Elm Tree Cottage. ‘“The post-card was directed to Cedar Grove, to Mary Something —nperhaps a servant,” exclaimed Miss Dodson. “So it zs the same Major Murdoch.” Mrs. Welbrow assented, but not quite so eagerly as usual, She was beginning to regret a little that she had allowed so much to be wormed out of her. “That girl is shameless /” commented Miss Dodson. ‘TI hate to be deceived—don’t you, Mrs. Welbrow ?” ‘‘T do, indeed, Miss Dodson. But what motive can Miss Carleton have for such duplicity ? The Major seemed sincere in his surprise on learning her name.” ‘Oh! you never can tell. Simple-minded people like ourselves have no idea of the wickedness of the world. Doubtless Miss Carle- ton has been masquerading under some assumed name. It’s all as clear as noonday. The very way he bowed was enough to show the terms they areon. My poor brother! He has had an escape indeed. Well, good-bye, Mrs. Welbrow. Pray step over whenever you want anything for your husband. I shall always be glad to see you, for I lead a sort of owl’s life down here.” And Miss Dodson started off to pay her daily visit to her dear friend Miss Tippany. Maud and Effie had a charming ramble, and returned home laden with autumn treasures in the shape of hips and haws and lovely clusters of berries. Alfy and Bobby tumbled out to meet them on their return, both shouting together, ‘‘ Guess who’s been here! Guess who’s been here!” then, performing a sort of war dance, ac- companied them in mysterious silence to the drawing-room. ‘Guess whom we have had!” exclaimed Edith eagerly. ‘Ves, guess,” said Aunt Hester. Then three voices together : ‘ Major Murdoch and little Paul.” ‘‘ We saw him, too,” said Effie. ‘* He took off his hat. I wanted Maud to speak to him, but she wouldn’t. It was at the door of the Post-Office.” ‘At the Post-Office? ‘Then nobody introduced him to you? Then why did he bow? Hedoes not know you, Maud,” said Edith, whose sharpness was sometimes distressing. ‘‘He only raised his hat because he had to pass by me.” “Oh, no, Maudie! He knew you. He wanted to speak; but you wouldn’t. You d/ushed/” said Ethe solemnly. ‘‘She’s blushing now!” exclaimed Alfy and Bobby together. ‘“ You never have met him anywhere before, have you, Maud?” ECORNIELIOOKS .E© im