The Argosy — page 320: what you’re looking at

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

A Little Mad, an Old Mad and the Major. 299 cross-questioning might elicit a great deal, she felt, and set to work at once. You seem rather an invalid ?” she remarked sympathetically. ‘It’s a case of creaking doors,” said the lady. ‘I believe I ought to have died years ago; but I daresay I shall disappoint both doctors and friends for some time yet.” She spoke feebly, for her voice was nearly gone; but there was a slight ring of viciousness in her words, sufficient to make Miss Dodson prick up her ears. “Everyone must feel delighted to be thus disappointed. Your brother——. Howstupid Iam! [ think you said Major Murdoch is zot your brother ?” C6 No.” Miss Dodson gave a little cough. ‘‘A great friend, then ?” ‘“No.” Then after a second’s pause, as if impelled to say more, the stranger added with an odd smile: ‘‘There is scant friendship between us and still less love.” Miss Dodson’s eyes nearly started out of her head. “Tell me something about Major Murdoch,” resumed the lady **Ts he liked in this place? ” “Really you could hardly come for information on such points to a worse person than myself. I live here for the sake of my dear brother, and although acquaintances are forced on me, I have no intimates and gossip I abhor—— ” ‘* Nonsense.” Miss Dodson, who had repeated her formula mechanically, stared with an air of slight bewilderment for an instant, then continued. ‘This is a sad chattering place, and people will talk about their neighbours’ affairs. Generally what I hear goes in one ear and out of the other. But since you ask me about Major Murdoch, I may say that report declares him to have a special attraction in Silcombe.” ‘An attraction! What attraction? A woman?e” The stranger sat bolt upright with blazing eyes. ‘““Of course,” said the enchanted Miss Dodson briskly. “A young girl, zo¢ very nice, I think; but my taste is fastidious. How- ever, the gentlemen see a great deal in her, which is, doubtless, what she cares most for. I must confess that even to my unobservant eyes the Major seems immensely fascinated.” , “What is her name ?” asked the lady huskily. She was shaking from head to foot with unmistakable fury, and Miss Dodson began to feel a little uneasy. Under such circumstances it was a relief to her to hear a ring at the front-door. “My brother, probably,” she said, springing up. ‘“ He will be delighted to make your acquaintance. Poor fellow! Silcombe is not what he has been accustomed to. The society of the place so empty-headed and i The door opened to admit Miss Tippany, who, able to bear the cConniclooolkks (C(O)