The Argosy — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 185 CHAPETERSIV ET THE GREAT CAUSE, “‘ NEWCOME versiis NEEDHAM.” Mrs. AGATHA NEEDHAM found her lease and its flaw could not be ettled by the lawyers. ‘The cause, in due time, was entered for trial at the March Assizes, ‘‘ Newcome versus Needham.” It caused a great sensation in Nearford: all the holders of leasehold property arguing, that if Mrs. Agatha was disturbed in her long and peaceful occupancy, where was their security? As to Mrs. Agatha, it may be questioned if she enjoyed a full night’s rest during the period of sus- pense. Nothing could exceed the sympathy and interest evinced by Tom Elliot in the affair: as Mrs. Agatha observed, what she should have done without him she did not know. Huis legs were kept on the run between his aunt’s house and Lawyer Freer’s; and the numerous messages forwarded by the old lady nearly drove the lawyer wild. Se was fidgetty, and ‘Thomas pressed her on. “Do you want my services with Mr. Freer this morning, aunt ?” “No, Thomas, I think not this morning.” “You'd do well to send to him, if only the slightest message. No trouble to me. ‘Those lawyers require perpetual looking up. They are so apt to forget the interests of one client in those of another. It’s ‘out of sight out of mind’ with them.” “Very true, Thomas. Thank you. Go down then to Mr. Freer: -my compliments, and I have sent to know if there’s anything fresh. But I am ashamed to give you this frequent trouble.” “"Trouble’s a pleasure, aunt, when you are concerned,” replied Thomas. , “The comfort of possessing such a nephew!” ejaculated Mrs. Agatha. Tom flew off, but the stars were against him that day. Lawyer Freer was out ; so much the better: for Tom could more safely find his way to the young ladies, as he had now done many and many a time. ‘They had also taken to look for him, and they saw him coming down the street. ‘““Here’s Mr. Elliot, Loo,” observed Clara ; and a blush of satisfac- tion rose to her face, and she turned from the window to a mirror and smoothed her hair here and there with her finger. Louisa did not answer, but a much brighter blush rose to fer face, and she bent lower over the piece of drawing she was preparing for her master. For Louisa, scarcely eighteen, still had masters attending her, and Clara, who was two years older, looked upon her as a child. Child as she might be, though, she had grown to Jove Tom Elliot. Why did they both blush, someone may ask; surely they were not both in love with him? Not exactly. Tom Elliot was a general | admirer, and whilst he had become really attached to Louisa Freer, _ and had striven privately to gain her affections, he had evinced a very | 4 t qT COREL O© <5) im