The Argosy — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

136 “ Fohn Smuth, Fumor.” Johnny, dear. There was some hitch between you and your love ; tell me, was it us, father and me—because if ‘No, no, mother, dearest—there’s nothing—God bless you !— there’s nothing now 2 Frances had scarcely reached the foot of the stairs leading to her own apartment, before his voice arrested her. ‘‘ Don’t go, Miss Lisle —Frances—there is something I want to tell you.” She paused, still half turned away from him. He went on quickly. ‘‘ My godfather has left me a small estate in the West of England—on two conditions : the first is that I enter upon a Parliamentary career—and the second that I adopt his name, and henceforth call myself ‘ John Wolvercourt Smith ’ ” She covered her face with both hands.—‘“ Under these circumstances—do you think I may venture to ask the girl I love— to be my wife 2?” He tried to take the hands away from her hot, tear-stained face. “ Oh !—lT’m—sorry ” she faltered, yielding them to his grasp. ‘Sorry, sweetheart !—for what ? ” ‘* Because—because ” Then she looked up _ bravely—there should be no misunderstanding now through any false shame of hers. —‘* Because now I can never prove to you how glad and—and proud it would make me—to be fs "To be what ?—my love—my darling ?” It was easy now, from the shelter of his arms, to whisper : “Mrs. John Smith, Junior.” (SOA l a» \ 2] 0)(0)(0)| KS(E(6) m