The Argosy — page 288: what you’re looking at

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

| | The House of Halliwell. 267 “There are many sorts of heart disease,” breathed Hester. Which e “He called it dilatation of the heart,” interrupted Mrs. Halliwell, « combined with another long word which I really cannot remember. Hyper—something—it began.” “Did Mr. Davis say there was any danger ?” ‘No immediate danger whatever. I may live, as I told you, many years. It will, however, no doubt, be my death at last.” In spite of her self-control, Hester burst into tears. “Oh, mother! you have taken away all the happiness that was left to me.” “ Hester! do not speak like that. See howcalm lam. My dear children, if we are to be thus afflicted at the mention of death, how shall we be fit to meet it when it comes? Have you both profited so little by your childhood’s hymn ?” “What hymn?” sobbed Lucy. **°<¢ Teach me to live that I may dread The grave as little as my bed.’ “ My darling children, until we acquire this peace within us, it is im- possible that we can be happy. I trust it is mine: let that console you. In time I pray that it may be yours.” “What did Mr. Davis say?” asked Hester. “ He only confirmed my own suspicions, and detailed the nature of the disease. I must live an absolutely quiet life, very abstemious and regular; and for other remedies that may be requisite, he will order them, as occasion shall arise. ‘There was no reason, he assured me, why I should not make an old woman yet, provided I took care of myself. But now you see,” she added, smiling, ‘‘ why I may not go galloping over the country to pay visits, as you young ones may.” “Mamma,” said Hester, “if you could get yourself removed quietly, by easy stages, to Chelson, the change might benefit you.” “No, my dear, it would be sure to do me harm, let me travel as quietly as I would. My going from home is out of the question ; so it must be one of you. Now which shall it be?” “ Lucy, of course,” observed Hester. “ Hester, not me,” said Lucy. ‘I would not leave you, mamma.” They had both spoken at once, and a friendly dispute ensued. Neither would leave Mrs. Halliwell; and she sat and laughed at them. The knowledge of her state did not seem to affect her spirits in the least. ‘I think you must let me decide,” she interposed at length. “Vou had better, mamma. If one of us must really go.” “Then I say Hester,” rejoined Mrs. Halliwell. ‘Alfred is so - incapable of anything like domestic management, that I daresay his house and its affairs—what is the French word for it, Lucy? we have no good one—haye neyer been set going, in proper order, yet. And, CORINELMOO© SS) im