Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

ti ng sa “e- a = THE CRUCIBLE. day was fine and the ship steady, when a voice sounded at her elbow: ‘‘ With the purser’s compliments, miss.” It was a note, short and very civil, in which that official said that he was glad to inform her that he had availabie a first class cabin which was at her disposal with- out further charge. If she would give in- structions to the man who brought the note, the luggage would be transferred immedi- ately. Sylvia nodded. Again she felt an impalp- able influence around her and again that unaccustomed weight on her brow. When she spoke it was in a voice that seemed to be almost not her own. ‘Please tell the purser that I’m very much obliged, and the stewardess may come any time.” The cabin in which Sylvia now found herself installed happened to be one of the most comfortable on the ship, and she de- lighted in its luxurious spaciousness... She knew that first class passengers usually dressed for dinner and when, at the sound of the second: bugle, she descended to the salon she was greeted with a general scruti- ny that was definitely approving. — The chief steward, who waited for her at the entrance, conducted her to a chair at the captain’s table and she found herself seated beside Marcus King. It was all un- believable, strange beyond her wildest imag- ining, and yet true. ‘“1’m dreaming,” she whispered to her- self. ‘‘ I’m dreaming.” But King’s conversation for the next few moments showed that this was no fantasy. He introduced her to the captain and two or three other passengers as Miss Sylvia Dart, the daughter of an old friend, and whom he was delighted to find a fellow- passenger. To this she could only smile and agree. Every moment that passed seemed to spread around her more completely the en- tangling net of a false position until in desperation she admitted there was nothing to be done except carry the thing off as best she could and fight as best she might against the potent influence that was again sur- rounding her. Pes with smiles and light- ae, rs -, - , > ba fy _—— a — Stat Per SS ae ny a Oe oe eed een eae DS ee ee ee Ne wit —— — , pe : ” oe y a i - ee ee = . Ae es Stee 3 rr - is - o> = J net og ne Seas pe ee etn ee —— 65 hearted talk with Marcus King seemed to lead in any direction he wished, came the real commencement of that extraordinary voyage. 3 Days passed and her sense of unreality grew constantly stronger. It was deep- ened by the fact that Marcus King, to all outward appearance, was nothing more than the friend he had publicly professed to be. Whatever the future might hold, now, at any rate, he had himself well in hand. He made no advances, nor could she de- tect anything suggestive in his manner, but she knew without a shadow of doubt that she was traversing a threatening sea and had no confidence in her present pilot. By this time she had built up out of her memories of Brent, a certain wistful affec- tion to which she clung with all her strength. She confessed nevertheless that it was not love. In the nature of things it could not be. He had done nothing to awaken in her any hunger of passion or aught of the profound emotions of which the heart of woman is capable. What she had conceived for him was a trust and confidence, having succeeded in believing that he could not be false to the recollections of her youth. The vision of him made her happy, but not breathless. She wondered about him constantly, haz- arding exactly what sort of a man he might be after all his wanderings. Several times she was on the. point of sending him a wireless message, but always, when the moment came, she had desisted. There was so much that could not be ex- plained before they met, and she shrank from the thought of how it might affect him with regard to herself if he learned that already and without his summons, she was hastening toward him. No, it must be that explanation waited until later, and then she would have not only his love to lean upon and he!p her, but also that beauty which, in her secret hours, now filled her with a shy delight. The loyalty and faith of James Brent, that was what she must depend on when the moment came. She wondered sometimes if now, as more 2 fis= Ean ome “ aa 53 a - 2 < - S or = aw a eae Es 2 f — ae PE OTRICGOGKE c = as mre Hass _ — Sas tt” than once in Js, Past Jos we was: = om