The Argosy — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

One Christnas Eve. 70 The Doctor’s laugh was so genial at this that it soon placed the pair on a more friendly footing. They talked with ease until Frances came in sight. “Who is the gentleman with her?” “William Martin,” said Kitty, becoming silent and pale. “Ah, Kitty! Glad to see you,” said the irrepressible William. “Could not keep away from you, you see, after all.” “You have broken your promise,” Kitty said, in an undertone. “You will make me hate you.” “< QOut of sight, out of mind,’ you know,” said William, twirling his stick. “I’ve brought you a little present.” Kitty’s fingers would not close over the parcel he strove to press into her hand. When the gift fell to the ground, Kitty walked on unheeding. Frances picked it up and put it in her pocket. William did not see this, but it did not escape Dr. Driver’s notice. He felt some interest in the indignant pose of Kitty’s head as she marched on alone. At the stile stood Ned. He was on his way to the apple orchard to find some large Mistletoes for town friends. ‘The apple trees in Gloucestershire have a monopoly with regard to the Mistletoe Bough. The whole party set forth to search for the best, and Ned climbed a tree and began to use his saw vigorously. “No wonder the Druids admired the Mistletoe,” said Kitty to Ned, raising her rosy face just under the bough in tempting fashion. That William kissed her; that Dr. Driver as suddenly tripped him up, and laid him on his back ; that Ned severely told him such beha- viour could not be tolerated at the Court, was all the work of only a few seconds. | Kitty’s wrath was indescribable, and the tears rushed to her eyes. ‘““He has some excuse,” said Ned’s kindly voice, presently ; ‘‘ he says you are to marry him.” Kitty rose and shuddered. ‘“‘’They worry me so at home,” she said, hopelessly. ‘They are so poor and he promises to do so much for them—but, oh, Ned, I cannot, I cannot. I loathe him.” ‘‘Enough,” said Ned. ‘Nora and I will take care you are not sacrificed to your stepfather’s cupidity. Make yourself happy.” Kitty ran to her room as soon as they returned. Frances was there holding out a mole-skin purse with golden clasps. _ “Quite a valuable gift,” she remarked. ‘Shall I keep it, Kitty ?” “In addition to an album, a ring and a brooch. Pray, please yourself,” said Kitty, severely. ‘‘ Arrange the matter with William.” ‘““T wonder at his infatuation,” thought Frances, as Kitty smoothed her soft curls. How shabby the scanty blue dress looked beside her own rich silk. “Would you not like to be very rich, Kitty ?” “No; I like to manage cleverly on small means.” COMICooOolKS.E© im