The Argosy — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

One Christmas Eve. a7 cherished by all Gloucestershire men, that man alone knows how to poke a fire. He fumed and fidgeted; then with an abrupt ‘ Excuse me,” took the poker and dashed so madly at the coals that Kitty rose from the rug and took a seat by Nora on the settle. Ned came in. Dhgnah followed with the urn. Kitty noiselessly flitted about, delighted to render service to those she loved. She drew the curtains to hide the shutters, set the chairs so that the clumsy mahogany gained a little grace from position. Doctor Driver followed her with his eyes, inwardly terming her affected and more objectionable than the yellow-haired Frances, who, readily taking her cue, was play- ing the part of a shy, blushing maiden. Unconscious Kitty took her seat beside Nora, rendering small services throughout the meal with deft readiness. ‘The angry Doctor was quite ignored, for she broke into unrestrained laughter at one of Ned’s witty anecdotes. “When is William coming, Kitty?” asked Frances, looking at her out of the corners of her eyes. No more laughter from Kitty, and silence fell upon the party. But Frances adroitly filled the breach and imagined her cousin for- gotten. After tea, Kitty took a book and readily absorbed herself in it. Meantime Frances made herself acquainted with the surface vanities of the simple-hearted Doctor and fed them with zeal. ‘You sing, do you not ?” she asked. ‘Yes, the Doctor sang,” Nora replied. ‘‘ People thought his voice almost equal to Lablache’s.” He began to sing, his voice was of immense power and great sweet- ness—a rare combination—and was under perfect control. He was proud in an innocent way, of his power of making his lower tones vibrate until the glasses in the room would ring. To-night he displayed this power until the air seemed to vibrate round the listeners. Down went Kitty’s book with a bang, as she flew into the kitchen, pale and scared. ‘Kitty does not mean to be rude,” explained Fanny, sweetly, as the Doctor stopped and looked round. “Oh, Dinah,” said Kitty. ‘Such singing makes me feel so un- ‘Ah! a’s a grand singer,” said Dinah proudly. ‘A’ sings louder than the organ, a’ do.” ‘Oh, Dinah! He’s coming in here! put me in the cupboard, do, Dinah! ” Dinah, the kind-hearted, thrust her favourite into a dark corner. In strode the Doctor followed by Nora. “Qh, she’s not here,” said Nora. ‘ Don’t trouble, Doctor ; probably she ran upstairs. What! you are going? Do not forget your promise to take Frances for a drive to-morrow.” ‘Iam going,” said the Doctor, darting a piercing glance into the ECOMMICIHOOKS.EO© mm