The Argosy — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. II ewer “Go up to London without a day’s delay, and get your money out of the fire. If you can’t get the doubled capital, held out as a bait, take the single, and put it into the funds again.” “Impossible,” laughed the Major. ‘There must be three months’ notice of withdrawal first.” “ How much notice?” returned Aunt Copp, in a very sharp tone. “Three months.” “Then give the notice to-morrow, and take it out at the three months’ end. Will you do this?” ‘Not if I know it, Becky. It pays me too good interest.” “Then just see if you don’t repent it. And the Lord help your poor wronged children !” The Major rose, stretched himself, and spoke good-humouredly. “You are brighter at sea than you are on land, Becky, think of it as you will. Good-night ; pleasant dreams to you.” “Pleasant dreams to you, if your conscience will allow of them,” retorted Aunt Copp. ‘‘ Make him do it,” she whispered to Mrs. Halliwell. This was on the Tuesday. On the following Monday, as they were seated at breakfast, the Major said he was going to London. "To do what I recommended ?” asked Aunt Copp, eagerly. ‘Not I,” said the Major, while Mrs. Halliwell gave an almost im- perceptible shake of the head as her sister-in-law glanced at her. ‘I am going for a few hours’ pleasure. Will you go with me, Becky 2?” “Not to-day,” replied Mrs. Copp. ‘‘ How do you go?” ‘““Harkaway coach. It leaves here at eleven, and gets back at nine. Alfred, when you have finished breakfast, you can run to the Wheatsheaf, and secure me a place. Box seat, mind.” ‘You had better return inside,” said Mrs. Halliwell to her husband. ‘What for? A fine evening, as this will be.” ‘If you once catch your winter’s cough, you know there’s no getting rid of it till spring.” “Tam not likely to catch it in September, Jane,” returned the Major. ‘“ Box seat, Alfred, both ways.” ‘We are breakfasting later than usual,” remarked Lucy. “I shall be late at school.” ‘IT don’t know how it was,” observed the Major, “I meant to be down earlier than usual this morning. And I did get up in time. But there were so many hindrances ; first one thing went wrong, then another. I could not find my things, and the trousers I first put on were the wrong ones, and I had to change them. Then I managed to overturn my shaving water, wetted my stockings, which I had to change also, and wait for more water. Altogether I never was so long getting up before; first one delay and then another ; there was no end to it.” ‘ Major,” cried Aunt Copp, “this will be an unlucky day to you.” COMICOOOlKS.EO©