The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

620 for a moment lost the rigid control she was holding over herself. “Love!” she cried hotly. “ You dare to speak to. me of love? Where is the woman for whom you deserted me?” ‘Alice? Oh, I supposed you knew. She died within six months after our marriage. But I never really cared for her, dear. It was a sudden infatuation, a piece of mad folly. You, and you alone, have always had my heart.” He believed now that he had solved the real reason for her coldness. She had been jealous of the other woman. ‘““Come,” he pleaded, extending his hand, “let us forget all the mistakes and lapses of the past and start anew. Won't you make up and be friends, Gladys?” But she had again gained command of her feelings, and she met his fervid sup- plication with only an impatient frown. “I think I have already indicated the limitations for any intercourse between us, Mr. Hart,” laying emphasis upon the name. “If you have no further matters of business to present to me, may I not remind you that I am very tired and ask to be excused ?”’ He was not to, be turned aside from his purpose, however. Persistence, reflected, often wins the battle. ‘But, Gladys,” he urged, “ won’t you give me a chance to explain, to justify myself in your eyes? I love you, dear. I want to win you for my wife!” She was growing weary under the long strain, was sickened by his continued im- portunities. With a sudden flash of her violet eyes, she turned upon him. “Your wife!” she cried. ‘ Your wife! I gave you a chance to let the disgraceful past rest in its grave. I was willing to hold such formal relations with you as might be necessary upon a new basis. Since you will not have it so, however—since you insist upon res- urrecting all that I would willingly for- get—then take your answer. he THE ARGOSY. {?? “Your wife Her tone was sur- charged with scorn. “I consider the very word upon your lips an insult when addressed to me. I hate and despise you. I would not marry you, if you were the last man on earth. Coward, criminal, murderer! ” She flung herself back, her eyes ablaze, like a tigress goaded into fury, and pointed with her arm to the door. ‘There, you have your answer,” she finished. ‘“‘ Now, go!” Hart winced under the lashing strokes of her contempt ; but still he did not stir. He seemed to be spellbound, fascinated. ‘“T see how it is,’ he burst out hoarse- ly. ‘You think I do not love you; that if you consent, I may jilt you again. But I can give you proofs of my devo- tion.” “Proofs of your devotion!” she mocked. ‘Yes, proofs. Criminal you have called me, and I am one; but I have been a criminal to serve as well as to injure you. This fortune which—’’ _He broke off confusedly and bit his lip. “The fortune!” she gasped, her eyes dilating as she glanced swiftly down at the papers on the table and back at him. ‘Are you trying to intimate to me that there is anything shady about it?” Then, as he continued to hesitate, she brought her little clenched fist down upon'the table with a vehemence which sent the documents sprawling, a confused mass, upon the floor. ‘Ig there anything shady about it?” she repeated. ‘“‘ Answer me!” “" Yes? there is,’’ he confessed sullenly. ““T hadn’t intended to tell you; but you have practically forced me to it, and now you may as well know the whole truth. Old Billy Burke was no more your father than I am, nor have you legal claim of any kind upon his estate. I forged the will by which you became his heir! ” (To be continued.) WELCOME. So glad the word of greeting, So sweet the kiss and smile, That parting, for such meeting, Were almost made worth while. George Alison. EO OO (Cc