The Argosy — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

So One Christmas Eve. ‘William says you shall have nothing to do but enjoy yourself,” remarked Frances. ‘‘ There are twelve servants at the hall.” ‘“T suppose he means balls and theatres,” said Kitty. “Oh, Frances, such an aimless life would break my heart.” “ Heart!” laughed Frances. ‘‘ People don’t think of their hearts now-a-days.” Tea was ready as the girls entered the room. William deluged his listeners with small talk ; nothing could interrupt its flow. All felt glad when the meal was over and music was proposed. Frances played humdrum tunes and William sang. Doctor Driver talked to Ned; and Kitty on the rug at Nora’s feet with her head on her cousin’s knee sat reading by the firelight. ‘When are you going to sing again?” Kitty asked, presently. ‘JI. thought. you did ,not like it,”,. said_; the . Dogtor,, “Sanage® refrained.” ‘T like it when you don’t thrill your voice,” said Kitty. ‘‘I can’t help crying then.” ‘She always cries, if she hears a band play, silly child,” said Nora. ‘Yes! she «ais .very,, silly,” said. Dr. Driver, sternly...“ Peapie should not be swayed by the feeling of the moment.” “What makes you sing in that way, then?” asked Kitty, feeling goaded to turn the tables on him. Ned laughed. William, having sung comic songs until his throat was sore, made way for Dr. Driver, who sat down at the piano and confined himself to simple songs requiring few of his deeper notes. But the desire to play upon the feelings of his sensitive listener over- eame him, and he broke suddenly into the magnificent chords preluding the “‘ Erl Konig.” Kitty, frightened and bewildered, followed the song with intense pleasure and some horror till the child’s scream, ‘‘ Der Erl Konig mir hat,” broke with discords on her ear. She rose and fled again to the kitchen, where she helped old Dinah sew a patchwork quilt for the rest of the evening. “If Doctor Driver thinks you the most affected girl in the world,” said Fanny, severely, ‘I, for one, don’t wonder.” “Nor I,” said Kitty, meekly. ‘I think I'll go home soon. They know I am not affected there.” ‘“] suppose you do not mind,” said Frances,” but I’ve promised to ride to Chepstow with William to-morrow.” “TY hope you will enjoy his society,” answered Kitty, in a dreary voice. ‘Thank you. I always do,” said Frances. ‘“ We like the same things.” Eomichdooks ! an \ (e(o)