The Argosy — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

Featherston’s Story. 121 He pointed over his shoulder at the sea as he spoke, Lavinia glanced quickly in the same direction. “In yonder boat?” she repeated vaguely. ‘‘T mean the London boat, which is on its way here and will get in this evening,” he explained. “Oh, of course,” said Lavinia, as if her wits had been gathering wool. The young man took out his watch and looked at it. Then he rose, lifted his hat, and with a general good-morning, walked quickly down the pier. Nancy was still at the side of the pier, looking down at the men. Captain Fennel put up his glasses and sat down beside Lavinia, his impassive face still as usual. ‘© T wonder who that man is?” he cried, watching the footsteps of the retreating stranger. “Did you hear what he said?” asked Lavinia, dropping her voice. “Yes. Had Nancy not been here, I should have given him a taste of my mind, but she hates even the semblance of a quarrel. He had no right to say what he did.” ‘What could it have meant?” murmured Lavinia. ‘© Tt meant my brother, I expect,” said Captain Fennel savagely, and, as Lavinia thought, with every appearance of truth. ‘“ But he has never been at Sainteville, so far as I know; the fellow is mis- taken in that.” ** Does he pass under the name of Dangerfield ?” Possibly. This is the first I’ve heard of it. He is an extrava- gant man, often in embarrassment from debt. ‘There’s nothing worse against him.” He did not say more ; neither did Lavinia. They sat on in silence. ‘The tall figure in the Scotch plaid pai ying: from sight ; the men in the harbour kept on disputing. ‘“ How long are you going to stay here?” asked Nancy, turning towards her husband. “I’m ready to go now,” he answered. And giving his arm to Nancy, they walked down the pier together. - Never a word to Lavinia; never a question put by him or by Nancy, if only to say ‘Are you not coming with us?” It was ever so now. Nancy, absorbed in her husband, neglected her sister. Lavinia sighed. She sat on a little while longer, and then took her own departure. The shoe shop on the port was opposite the place in the harbour where the London steamers were generally moored. The one now there was taking in cargo. As Lavinia was turning into the shop for her parasol, she heard a stentorian English voice call out toa man on board who was superintending the work in his shirt-sleeves : ‘At what hour does this boat leave to-night ?” VOL. XLVII, I EGOMINGIOOKS (CO) im