The Argosy — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

186 The House of Halliwell. fair share of admiration for Clara, partly in homage to her beauty, partly to divert suspicion from her sister. And Clara Freer, who had no objection in the world to receiving admiration from so handsome and popular a man as Tom Elliot, certainly did not repel him. ‘‘He is over head and ears in love,” Clara was proceeding to add ; but her sister interrupted her in a startling voice. “In love! With whom ?” ‘With me,” complacently replied Miss Freer ; ‘“‘ who else is there? His next move will be to make me an offer—in his random way.” Louisa’s heart beat fast against her side, and her blood tingled to her fingers’ ends. ‘‘Make you an offer!” she gasped forth. ‘Would you marry him ?” ‘Bless the child ! I marry a medical student, an embryo surgeon ! I look a little higher than that, Loo. But if Tom Elliot were as rich in wealth as he is in attractions—why then you might stand a speedy chance of being a bridesmaid. I know he adores me.” No more was said, for Tom entered and began rattling away after his own fashion. An attractive companion he undoubtedly was. Presently Miss Freer was called from the room by a servant, upon some domestic affair. ““My dearest Loo,” he whispered, as soon as they were alone, ‘‘you look sad this morning. What is it ?” ‘Oh, nothing,” she answered, bursting into tears. And Tom, all alive with surprise and concern, clasped her in his arms, and was in the very agreeable act of kissing off the tears, when Clara returned. It was sooner than they had expected her, and they were fairly caught. Clara, her features naturally of a haughty cast, could put on a look when she liked. Mr. Elliot had never yet been favoured with it; but it shone out in full force as she demanded an explanation from both of them. "The truth is, Miss Freer,” said ‘Tom, speaking up like a man, “that I love your sister. Until I saw her, all young ladies were alike to me—that is, I was fond of them all. But now she is the only one I care for, or ever shall care for in the world. I did not intend this to come out yet, and I hope you will keep our secret.” ‘And pray,” returned Clara, boiling over with rage and mortifica- tion, “when dzd you intend it to come out, sir ? ” “When? Not till I was well established in my profession, and could ask for her as I ought to do, of Mr. Freer.” “Clara,” uttered the younger sister, her tears falling fast in agitation, for she had read the expression in the elder’s eye, ‘‘ for the love of heaven do not betray me to papa. Dear Clara!” ‘‘T shall acquaint your father instantly, as is my duty,” was the cold reply. ‘‘We shall have a baby in leading-strings entangling itself in a matrimonial engagement next.” ‘Clara, my dear sister—let me call you so for the first, though I Gomicbooks.co | an \