The Argosy — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 359 «She is gone, so I’ll speak out, but I don’t foster her vanity by saying it before her. He is one of the nicest young fellows that ever lived ; and she could not have chosen better, if she had had the pick of all Middlebury.” ‘* How you have relieved me,” exclaimed Hester. ‘‘ Who is it 2?” “Dr. Goring.” “A physician ? ” *“No, my dear,” laughed Mr. Halliwell; “he is only a general practitioner, but we call them all doctors down with us. If I hada daughter, I don’t know anyone I would sooner give her to than to young Goring. And I prove myself particularly disinterested in saying this, for someone else wanted Mary.” “Who ?” questioned Hester. ““My son, poor Tom. She has given his heart a twinge; not purposely, for I never saw a girl with less coquetry in my life. She is an admirable girl, Hester.” “T trust she is,” answered Hester, with pride. ‘*’‘Tom soon found he should have no chance, so he drew in and set-to to cure himself of his love fever. And as he went off it, Goring went into it. She did not look with a cool eye on Azm. He is a most attractive man, as you will soon see. He is here.” marere ! ’’ “ He travelled with us, and is stopping at the Seaford Arms. I came on to make all straight for kim, and he was to follow.” “Oh, dear!” cried Hester. “You need not say ‘oh, dear’,” laughed Mr. Halliwell. ‘‘ He has nothing formidable about him: the pleasantest young man you ever spoke to.” ‘“‘Has he a good income?” inquired Hester. ““A very good one. He has succeeded to an excellent practice in Middlebury. ‘Take it altogether, Hester, it is a very desirable match for Mary. If—there he is.” Hester looked from the window, and saw someone very good-looking coming down the opposite road. Phoeby opened the door, and Dr. Goring (we may as well call him so as the Middlebury people) entered. A tall, slender, gentlemanly young man, with a sunny countenance and a remarkably pleasant voice and manner. Hester did not wonder at Mary’s having fallen in love with him ; she was ready to do so herself. He wanted the marriage to take place without delay. “That cannot be;” said Hester. ‘‘Her mother has only been dead six months.” ‘But just consider,” argued Dr. Goring, laughing and looking as if he did not believe that to be an insuperable bar. ‘‘Some of my _ patients object to me because I am a bachelor. I assure you, Miss Halliwell, it is essential to my professional interests that I marry.” ‘“We so loved our dear mother: all Seaford so respected her. No, Dr. Goring; decidedly no. The very day after the first year’s im CoOnniclooolkks