Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

THE DANCE OF DEATH. And the Tilldons ate heartfly with them, just as though they had not already had half a night’s sleep. And Mrs, Tilldon told how she had made it a point to be ready at any hour of the day or night to meet the requirements of her husband’s profession; and Mr. Tilldon told several amusing sto- ries about hasty marriages that he had been called on to perform. And toasts were drunk to the brides and grooms just as en- thusiastically as though the coffee cups had been flagons of ale or goblets of rare old wine. Then they paid Mr. Tilldon a fee that made him hug fat Mrs. Tilldon ecstatically after they were gone; and they set out again for New York and the wharf from which the steamship Queen of Italy was to sail. Ellen was there, waiting, with a big trunk and various bags belonging to Kath- erine. And not far off was Garry’s man with his things. Garry sent him on board with the tickets and the luggage, impress- ing upon him first, however, that it was Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sorrel who were sailing. Those were the names under which Da Costa had had Napoleon book his pas- sage. Then Garry and Katherine turned to take leave of Fielding and Joan. The two girls kissed; the two men shook hands heartily. “Don’t forget,” said Garry. “See Mr. Kendall the first thing in the morning, and tell him how to reach us if the necessity arises. And if Katherine is still under sus- picion, see that the best detectives and law- yers obtainable are employed to look after her defense. And tell nobody but John Kendall of our whereabouts. You two are the only ones who know. Nobody else must find out until we are ready. We must vanish—as though the earth had opened up and swallowed us!” “ Right,” said Fielding; “I get you. And you can depend on me. I'll never be able to—to square things with you for— for fixing it up for Joan and me to-night. But I want you to know I—I’ll never for- get it!” Then Garry and Katherine climbed the gangplank, and stopped at the top to wave 605 back to Joan and Fielding until they were out of sight. The Queen of Italy was not quite ready to weigh anchor, however, and as Ellen ap- peared to report that their cabin was in readiness for them, and that no difficulties had been encountered in obtaining accom- modations for herself and Garry’s valet, they felt free to linger a bit by the rail, breathing in the early morning air, reveling in the vague dreamlike quality of the scene spread out before them. It was not quite light yet—just grayish- blue, with a hint of coming gold along the horizon, and here and there a faint splash of turquoise or lavender or rose color. And a mist hung over everything, obscuring outlines, lending an air of mystery. They stood side by side—very close to- gether—with their arms linked. “What an ending to this night of hor- ror,” whispered Katherine. “ Life is won- derful, isn’t it? Imsso glad one cannot see ahead! It would be so dull and dreary to know just what was in store for one in a day or two—in a week—or a year! To think—when I entered the King of Clubs to-night—t/is was coming! But I hadn’t the least idea! I shouldn’t have under- stood how much it was to mean to me, then, if I had been told! Because I didn’t know how much I could care for you then! I didn’t appreciate you! I hadn’t needed you—TI hadn’t suffered! It’s a strange thing; but without to-night’s /orrors, you know, I don’t think there could have been to-night’s joys.” “It does seem, doesn’t it, as if every- thing comes at the appointed time,” he agreed. ‘ But of course one never has pa- tience or philosophy enough to just wait calmly. To-night at dinner it seemed to me that I had loved you all my life—with- out ever being able to stir an answering love in your heart—without ever making any progress. And I was getting dis- couraged.” “And now,” she said, looking up at him, “you've won me—for yours—for all time to come! Are you happy?” “Tm the happiest man in the world,’ said Garry. And then, as he bent down to kiss the Gomichooksrecom