The Argosy — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

122 “ Fohn Smith, Fumor.” then he said, ‘I have brought some flowers for your sister; we were talking about roses last night and she said that these were her favourite sort. I told ‘her I was sure she had never seen any to beat those at ‘The Grange’ now. ‘These are to prove the truth of my assertion. So there—lI’ve delivered my message and I think you ought to give me one of the roses for remembering it all.” ‘You are welcome to as many as you like,” said Frances coldly. ‘Pm sure I don’t want the Smiths’ flowers,” and she turned away and walked upstairs with a considerably heightened colour in her proud young face. Mrs. Lisle told her husband of this little incident during their usual short after-dinner chat. “Ah!” said he, between the puffs at his cigar, “‘I thought those two young people seemed rather struck with each other. Now Milly, let nothing be said to Frances. Tell Edith, I forbid any chaffing or teasing, she’d better not mention his name even. That girl is a mischievous little spoil-sport. Leave things to take a natural course. Why—it would be a match after my own heart! I don’t mind confessing, I never did altogether take to the other. Did you notice how completely Fitzhardy was left out in the cold last night ? ” Meanwhile, Edith was by no means above availing herself of her sister’s permission. ‘¢Second-hand presents are better than none,” she said, as she pinned a choice bud or two into the front of her frock. “I wonder if I shall have baskets of roses brought me when I am grown up. I’m afraid not; I shall never be a beauty like Frances.” She might have thought differently had she overheard a remark one young man made to the other as they left the Square behind them that afternoon. “T say, Jack—talk of that tall pale girl last night—what do you think of the younger sister ?” ‘She looks a jolly little thing,” he replied. “It’s an indescribably lovable, happy little face, and quite unconscious of its own charm ; whereas, Miss Lisle knows her market value only too well . “Jack ! you are coarse!” his friend interrupted, hotly. The only answer was a long-drawn expressive whistle ; then there was a short pause, after which the subject was changed. III. Durinc the next few weeks it seemed to Frances that she was constantly coming across the tall, handsome young man_ between whom and herself there had sprung up such a decided lking, almost at first sight. The intimacy grew and strengthened at every meeting. He was invariably accompanied by his great friend. Undoubtedly Mr. John Smith, Junior was to be seen in the most irreproachable society. Perhaps it was due to Josselyn’s superior social standing ; he EORNIELYOO! <S5(E0o) m