The Argosy — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

36 The Results of a Hunt Week. HT. A FEeEpruary sun, lighting up the damp hedgerows into sparkles, and drying the moss that spread beneath the leafless brown trees in the churchyard hard by the Keep. It was a little church, with a grey old tower, lending strength and nobility to the lowliness of its structure, and every window of it to-day looked musingly aware that a wedding was being celebrated within. A fair, fair bride, with touches of anxiety and gentle dejection breaking the serenity of her sweetness ; a handsome bridegroom, full of energy and ardour, and dark enough to afford the right contrast to the lady of his choice; a kindly-faced couple, the one performing, the other abetting the ceremony. A beautiful, dark-eyed girl com- pleting the group, and efficient in rendering those offices to the bride that a sister is fain to offer on these memorable crises of life. Over is it? And the parting kisses given, and the carriage off, not without its tribute of slippers, thoughtfully provided by the genial Rector’s wife, ardent in the cause of good luck. Then Rick and Amy are really one at last, and the home of the Seatons is daughter- less and deserted. But still the rose berries make bright the briars in the hedges, and the distance is glistening in tremulous response to the February sky. Noon, and raining off and on. Miry ways and streets, where the horse sale goes on at Wroxton, and ulsters and umbrellas to the fore. Mr. Seaton stood on the outskirts of the crowd with Lord Helio- trope and Ted Godfrey beside him, and pulses calm as the rain falling mildly around. Charley Byce, just arrived on the scene, made for the trio, and having still some stirrings of compunction towards Mr. Seaton, sought and honoured that gentleman’s opinions as to the horses with more deference than such an exquisite often vouchsafed. ‘‘T was at Lovelane Station this morning,” he said, ‘‘ and had the pleasure of a bow from Miss Seaton in the express. I did not know she was leaving home.” Mr. Seaton turned his eyes suspiciously on the joker of last night. ‘That must have been a mistake of yours,” he replied; ‘my daughter is at home.” ‘Oh, but no, positively,” protested Charley, who was far too vain to allow his statements to be challenged with impunity. ‘‘I was on ~ the other platform, it is true, but I saw that pretty French maid of hers take her some coffee, and she was talking to ——” “Mr. Byce, is this another jest?” demanded Mr. Seaton sternly. ‘‘On my honour, no,” said Charley. ‘‘ I was not aware there was —perhaps I was mistaken after all.” “'To whom did you say my wee was talking? Was she travelling alone ?” CORNICE OOOKS (E(0)