The Argosy — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

The Results of a Hunt Week. 39 IIT, Wirt head erect, Mr. Seaton passed by his servants and shut himseif into his library. He was a good master, but subject to violent fits of passion on provocation, and none of them would have taken a month’s wages to have told him the news with the face he wore just then. It was patent to all, however, that this had already been done, and what supplement was needed lay in a letter left by Amy, which they had put in a conspicuous place on the library table. Mr. Seaton was aware of it ere ever he sat down, but in the tumult of his emotions, let it be—let the question rest unsettled whether he should even open it or not. ‘The elopement seemed to have hap- pened long ago, somehow, but his passions were at white heat, his. indignation crying out for justice. ‘‘T have given her no love worth having, have I?” he kept wrath- fully repeating. “It was for my own gratification, not hers, I sur-- rounded her with luxuries. I, atyrant, I! I will make that man, Knight, crawl on his knees to beg my pardon. I will ruin him with his Bishop. I will———” and then he passed his hand across his eyes, for the words that next sounded in his ears were, ‘“‘oppressing his. fellows and dishonouring his Maker.” ‘It is not true,” he broke forth vehemently, speaking aloud. “I. am an upright man of good character, I reverence my God, and Heaven help me, I know what love is better than did the daughter who has forsaken me.” A nightmare of conflicting tortures seemed on him, and he knew not how time went by. He took and read the letter rather as a diversion from than climax to the situation, and followed almost mechanically its exculpation from blame of all now remaining under his roof, its entreaty for forgiveness—just one word of pardon. It was a touching letter, and though the excuses for her conduct were fully and firmly stated they were urged also with humility. The sense of the letter seemed scarcely to reach him. ‘‘ Oppressing his fellows and dishonouring his God,” were the words with which he put it down. He did not farther dispute the terms, but a grim smile came on his lips. “It is pleasing to know the character attached to our name. Knight has told me what manner of man I am, and the country will exult beyond measure, no doubt, at the discomfiture of such an one! I had a foretaste of it last night: I, and no other, was the victim of their infernal jests. Mrs. Prideaux-Power sails with the stream, and knows whom to insult. And by all the powers,” he cried, starting up in his chair, “was there not a threat in her words, that some worse trick might be played me? She has concocted this all, and sent her friend to act for her, and now this minute mocks at me with all the country-side !” GOMmMIiG doo .S (SO)