The Argosy, December 1905 — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN MASQUERADE. of tne condition of things in the Inter- national, and explain as best he could why*this last act had been so vitally necessary. He would try his hardest to bring her to a clear insight—and if that failed he would sacrifice everything else and pro- claim himself for what he was! Could he do it? Duncan shook his weary head.. He might carry out the whole program, even to creating such a sensation in the business world as had never been heard of, but would it benefit him greatly? Bit by bit Duncan realized the hard truth. His miserable act in proposing to Beatrice was not a thing in contempla- tion. It was an accomplished fact, and no amount of argument or reasoning could erase it from the list of yesterday’s doings. He had gone to her and put the ques- tion, and now, as the papers truly stated, they were engaged. The act had been done, Would Louise ever admit its dire ne- cessity ? Most certainly no. Dunean knew it only too well. Louise was a girl of high principles and high ideals. ‘The need of many things she might have admitted; the need of such a deed as this she never would, by any possibility, concede. To tell the true state to Louise and ask her to forgive would be an insult, downright and absolute. It would mean the eternal loss, not only of her love, but even of her barest respect. He couldn’t do it. Better far, Duncan thought, remain where he was and allow the girl to draw the bitter conclusion she must. It would sadden her, perhaps for life, and it would shatter her profound faith in him, but at least she must credit him with the negative virtue of not seeking to evade the unhappy truth. Dunean threw himself face downward on the couch and lay there motionless and inert with his nearly intolerable misery, and there, after midnight, his man found him sound asleep. A tasteless breakfast over, he realized 107 that his decision had rearranged itself somewhat. There were some things past the bear- ing of man, and this was one of them. Be the outcome what it might, he meant to see Louise that morning and give her the barest outline of the truth. ‘She would regard him thereafter with the utmost contempt—and he would, in a | way, deserve it thoroughly. And if the interview terminated ag it must, then he would bide by his acts, for the sake of the International, and all that that implied, to the end. He found himself in the Havers par- lor presently, very chilly and appre- hensive of the coming meeting. He walked to and fro and counted the end- less minutes as they dragged on. After a little his ear caught the sound of a light step descending. He stood still and stared at the doorway in a sort of stupid fascination. Louise entered swiftly, and with an expression of hopeful eagerness that cut Dunean to the quick. “My note did not reach you until this morning, John?” “Tt came last night. J——” “But I had expected e: She broke off sharply and reddened slightly. The flush was followed by a sudden pallor. “ What is the matter, John?” Duncan could not speak for the mo- ment. “So it was the truth? It was not what I had almost believed—a news- paper romance?” “It was the truth, but—oh, I tell you it is not the truth, Louise! ” “You are engaged to Miss Morri- son?” “TIT? No! Alvin fa “You are engaged to Miss Morri- son?” Louise persisted. “ Louise, let me try to make it clear to you; let me es “ John, one sentence will make every- thing quite clear to me. Whatever name you may have assumed—whatever else you may do—you are still yourself. - Did you ask Miss Morrison to marry you?” «ee But 3) “Did you?” COmiclbooolkX (C@