Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

492 David wondered if it would open again. A minute passed, and then the welcome face of the lady df the mansion looked out upon him. .“ Petruchio!”? she exclaimed wonder- ingly, as she gazed at the uncouth figure of the pedler. ‘It’s Petruchio that is the tamed one this time, dear lady,” whispered David, and Mrs. Murray uttered a cry that rang through all the house and caught him in a wild embrace. ‘David Treves is alive!” she screamed. “ Alive! Alive, and here!” There was a rush from the inner rooms, and Robert Murray and Mr. Win- nington dragged the pedler into the draw- ing-room with frantic joy. ‘“ Jessica!”’ exclaimed the masquerader inquiringly. “Tl unto death with a breaking heart,” sobbed Mrs. Murray; “but the healing will be speedy, David.” Then Jessica was aroused from the deathlike trance into which she had lain since the previous day and brought to the drawing-room in ‘her father’s arms, attended by her sorrowing mother. Slowly they explained to her that the grimy pedler was her lover, miraculously restored. She listened dumbly for a while with pathetic listlessness then her keen eyes penetrated the disguise, and a torrent of tears broke the killing ten- sion and restored her to life and happi- ness. No one slept until David had told his story, but he left the mystery of the two mysterious guards for. his listeners to solve in their own way. _ Next day he heard with wonder and consternation the full details of the fire that had broken out on Saturday and reduced the city in many parts to a ruin. The treacherous rebel. sympathizers were blamed for it, Mr. Murray asserted, and some of them had been put to death al- ready by the royal troops. “ But my cousins—Godfrey and Caro- line!” exclaimed David. “Truly, my friends, I am ashamed of my thoughtless- THE ARGOSY. ness, but I have not thought to ask you where they are and how they fare.” ‘“ Never fear, David,” said Mrs. Mur- ray; “you may trust Mrs. Caroline to protect her husband and herself. They are once nore in possession of your house in Wall Street, and, in the course of events, they have become professed and accredited Royalists and Tories.” ‘You may well believe that I am amazed,” said David; “ but, of course, I am highly pleased. I am glad that my house is no longer divided against itself. What of our residence? You say that they are there.” ‘“‘ Your house was providentially spared by the fire,” answered Mr. Murray, “and I believe that your cousins were keeping -}t in order for you when they heard the ctfushing news of your impending fate. Now they will be overjoyed to know that you are safe.” _ Later in the day David wrote a cor- dial letter to Godfrey Treves, announcing his safe return, and congratulating his cousffi upon his conversion to the ranks of the Royalists. He sent it into the city by his faithful valet, and on the fol- lowing day a letter arrived from Godfrey, with a postscript added by Caroline: Indeed, David, you must yield to God- frey’s urging and visit us at once. You will find your house in order, dear cousin, and we shall welcome you with great joy. You may feel assured that we do not regret our new allegiance, and it will be a rare pleasure to gather about the old table and pledge a family toast to his majesty, the king. Y'r aff’n'te cousin, CAROLINE. David waited another day, loath to leave Jessica even for a few hours; then he drove into the half-ruined city in a post-chaise, to call at the Wall Street mansion and spend an afternoon with his relatives. Trinity Church was well-nigh razed to the ground, and some three hundred houses were leveled. It was a tragic, dispiriting sight, and he was glad to gain MICLOOOK C©