The Argosy — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

| ta THE NIGHT BOAT FROM BOULOGNE. By EsME STUART. B M* dear fellow, you will do me a great service; indeed you will ; and to know that the ‘ Kenite’ is in your charge will be a weight off my mind. I hope that, as you will hand it over at once to M. Durand when you arrive in Paris, it will not spoil much of your holiday. I can imagine how you will enjoy showing your wife all the sights. It is really your honeymoon, as I could not spare you longer at Easter.” The speaker panted for a moment; then taking up a cheque from the table, went on more rapidly: ‘One thing more, Hulse. Do me the kindness to accept this cheque so that you may not feel in any way obliged to be stingy. Nonsense! Don’t thank me. You know that if I could act alone, you would to-day be in a different position ; but the firm moves slowly, and if this little commission turns out well I feel sure we shall soon see you figuring as ‘Co.’ to the firm of ‘Milsom and Harris.’ Well, that is settled and you start to-night. Don’t let Mrs. Hulse tire herself out in the gay capital.—By the way, Hulse, shall you mention to your wife that you have the ‘ Kenite’ in your possession ? ” He who spoke was a white-haired man with a very benevolent expression of countenance, and the person addressed was a pleasant- looking young Englishman, with an earnest, trustworthy face, blue — eyes, fair curling hair, fair moustache and a resolute square chin which spoke of determination. The elder man was Mr. Harris, a diamond merchant, and Frank Hulse had been for many years employed and trusted by the partners. Had he been possessed of capital he would already have been taken into partnership; but though Mr. Milsom was willing to do full justice to the value of their confi- dential clerk and traveller, yet it was quite another matter rewarding him for his faithful service. The question had been discussed, but was still very uncertain. In the meanwhile Frank Hulse had not waited for uncertainties, but in spite of a small income he had married a wife. In his eyes, Janet was the most beautiful, the noblest, the cleverest and the best of her sex. So he did not hesitate as he answered the elder man. “Indeed, Mr. Harris, 1 could trust any secret in Janet’s safe keeping.” , Mr. Harris waved his hand slightly as he smiled kindly. He was not going to discuss ‘‘ Janet’s ” powers of keeping a secret. “TI only meant, Hulse, that some ladies are a little—-— I mean sometimes they find it difficult to keep a secret; but you are the best VOL. XLIX. D EOMMICLIOOKS.EO© im