The Argosy — page 301: what you’re looking at

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280 The House of Halliwell. would not give me the opportunity. I wish you would invite me to spend an evening all alone with you at the vicarage. Mamma and my sisters will never bring me of their own accord.” ‘¢Come to-morrow evening,” interrupted Mr. Halliwell. ‘Oh, if I might!” she uttered, clasping her hands with the | prettiest expression of helplessness. ‘‘If you could but get leave for | me, Miss Halliwell.” Music was introduced after tea. Nearly everyone in the room sang, except Hester and Mabel. Hester could not, and Mabel was | not asked. When Hester requested permission for her to visit them | the following evening, Mrs. Zink seemed inclined to substitute Matilda, but Hester pressed for Mabel. Accordingly, the next afternoon, Mabel went to the vicarage. Hester was really charmed with her, she thought her a very nice girl, of simple, winning manners. ‘They persuaded her to sing, though they had no instrument, and Hester was astonished at her voice. It was of rare quality, and had been well trained. | “The school treat is arranged at last,” remarked Mr. Halliwell, in | the course of the evening. “It is to be next Monday, in Clebbery | Ground. The children will enjoy themselves in the open air so much more than in the confined schoolroom. Clebbery x “Do not tell me about it,” interrupted Mabel, in an earnest, almost an impassioned tone. ‘“‘ It will only make me long to go.” ‘ But you will go, will you not?” said Mr. Halliwell. | Mabel shook her head. “J am not allowed to go out with Matilda and Fanny. It is hard to be put aside for them always, and I feel it.’ She raised her charming blue eyes to his for one moment as she spoke, and when they dropped, their eyelashes were glistening with tears. At eight o’clock a servant arrived for Miss Mabel. When she was | ready the Vicar said he would walk with her. “Oh, no, indeed, thank you, Mr. Halliwell,” she returned, colour- | ing crimson; ‘ pray do not think of taking me.” | “Why not?” -Ahe anguured: | “Tf it were anyone but me—of course—but they will say I have | no right to monopolise your time or to give you trouble.” | He laughed, and drew her arm through his, and Hester watched | them across the churchyard, the maid following. | The next Monday rose delightfully, and amidst the many faces assembled in the schoolroom ready for the departure to Clebbery Ground (a rural spot at a convenient distance from Chelson, much used for pic-nics) Hester saw that of Mabel Zink. “Oh, thank you, Miss Halliwell!” she whispered ; ‘it is all owing to your message that I am here. Mr. Halliwell gave it to mamma, so she could not do otherwise than let me come.” Hester did not remember to have sent any message; but she thought it very kind of Alfred to beg for Mabel. GEomichbooks.com