Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

892 Like a great gull, it skittered from wave to wave, then arose in a long, graceful sweep, darted over a near-by warship and, mounting aloft, swung about and headed across the city itself toward the sandhills. The Mexicans were awe-stricken. Never before had they seen an airplane. They stood with heads thrown back, mouths agape, and eyes distended, as the machine disappeared into the blue above. “What dreadful things!” exclaimed Pa- tria, with a shudder; for the rise of the aircraft had wrenched her sharply back to the nature of her mission. The reconnais- sance flight of the flying boat toward the distant Mexican lines seemed laden with evil portent. The joy fell from her day— such little joy as had been possible. Unable to account for her depression, fearful that the sun had been too much for her, Nelson solicitously insisted that Patria vo to the veranda shade and rest. When they had settled themselves in canvas chairs on the sea side of the sheltered porch, Pa- tria, as though very tired, lay listlessly back —her clasped hands inert on the wet folds of her clinging skirt. In the harbor before the pavilion gray ships hung motionless at anchor. Fussy launches darted about, motor sailers and barges, too, carrying personnel and sup- plies shoreward from the great fleet of tow- ering dreadnaughts. A few fleecy clouds floated in a turquoise sky. “What is it, dear?” Nelson begged, concerned by Patria’s distraction and evi- dent distress, ‘“‘Can I do anything to help you?” “Thank you just the same, but there is nothing you can do. I’m very much wor- ried—about my father and mother. These frightful preparations for war depress me. I think of the danger my parents are in now and of what trouble may come to them at any time, even if they are not molested by those in authority. “ When the guns of the United States of the North begin to pound at Chapultepec and the city they will be directly under fire.” - “JTsn’t it possible for your people to es- cape? You managed to get out in safety.” “No; Pm afraid not. You see—a friend ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. with considerable authority managed to get me out, but my father is under constant surveillance. I told you how it was.” ‘Miss Gonsalvo, will you let me say something to you? I don’t mean to be presumptuous or intrusive. I want you to count on me to do anything in the world for you that I can. “I fully recognize the peril of your fa- ther’s position, and I’m not going to try to minimize it with maudlin sympathy. I think you must know how I really feel. If anything should happen to—him—or if you ever need a friend very badly, let me be the very first to whom you apply for aid. Do you understand?” Patria turned a beseeching glance upon him. For an instant she read his heart, unmistakable in his eyes. Then her own eyes clouded and the lids fell. Without warning she suddenly flung up a rounded arm and buried her face in it, sobbing. “Please, please don’t do that,” Nelson begged, rising anxiously and bending over her. “ You are ill; the sun has been too much for you. Let me call my old friend, Dr. Cook. Patria, Patria—please! There’s no use in it. You must be brave!” “Go away!” sobbed the girl. “ Oh, how i—hate—myself! You have been so fine, so considerate—just nice in every way. Go away from me! You don’t know anything about me, about my difficulties. You don’t know what a—wicked girl—I am! I should be—an outcast—and you—should despise —me!” With infinite tenderness Nelson touched her shoulder. “T know everything about you that I need to know,” he assured. “I am satis- fied. To me you are the most per—” The whining voice of Captain Simores broke in. Where he had come from, how long he had been there, what he had seen and heard, neither knew. With a start Patria straightened up, and real terror shone for an instant in her eyes. Nelson turned inquiringly, irritated at the interruption. ‘“‘ What is it?” he demanded. “ What do you want?” Simores bss rapidly in patois. To (eo) JOOKS mie (eCa)