The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

DESERT. LOOT. men and things other than her own, she could not help observing his earnest de- sire to interest her. Always he was painstaking in his description, asking her if she under- stood, and when there dwelt a doubt in her mind, simplifying his meaning by familiar comparison and commonplace phrase. And so it was, that from admiring Dr. Lencia for the high standard of his character, Peggy developed a fond ap- preciation for his many little attentions and kindnesses. The sun was dropping behind the cafion-rim when he got to his feet. Sur- prise showed on his face, changing to a quizzical stare which he bent upon her. “Well, I declare! I’ve done nearly half a day’s talking. Shall I wash the dishes and start dinner?” He burst into a merry laugh, in which she joined. “No, [ wouldn’t be that hard on you, doctor,” she responded seriously after a little. “‘I— .You’ve told me some wonderful things. I feel as if I have been really living them, as if—well, as if the world is good, after all.” She looked wistfully at the shadowing hill- side. He came back from bearing away the remnants of the repast and took a seat at the foot of the cot. “The world is a most delightful reality, Mrs. Gilbert,’’ was his grave comment. “ We cannot blame the world as a whole for our disappoint- ments and sorrows, no more than we can expect it to be miserable because we are. Life is made up of contrasts. “We are well because there is a chance of being sick, rich because pov- erty does exist, and so on down the long line. You will note that these con- trarieties make for a better world, since none of us fancies being sick or poor or unhappy all our lives. “So we struggle on and on, always aiming toward the attainment of some certain ideal condition whose possession we very much desire.” Peggy was silent. She was thinking of her life with Pete, and how she had 911 used up all her energies and’ ingenuity to no purpose. And as though he guessed the direction of her thoughts, Dr. Lencia continued, with becoming gentleness : ‘Thad Pete’s body removed to Dug- out. I believed that preferable to a grave in this lonely waste—and that you might be pleased.” Tears welled into her eyes and she bowed her head; yet she was glad that her emotion freed her from the neces- sity of admitting her knowledge of his act or to deceive him by a manifesta- tion of surprise. In the first instance it would lead to an embarrassing explanation, wishing, as she did, out of respect for Pete’s memory, to keep him in ignorance of Machado’s visit; and, in the second, her esteem of him had reached that degree - where insincerity is akin to a hurt. But his action, following her display of feeling, was unexpected, almost out of keeping with the situation. Ere she knew it, he had her hands in his and was pouring terms of endearment into her ear. “ Peggy, listen. If only for a mo- ment let me speak,’ he pleaded, his voice shaken with fervor. ‘ I know this is neither the time nor the place. I know that I am taking an unfair advantage of you—but, T love you, Peggy. From the day I brought you here, bleeding and insensible, z have watched over you, loving you more and more, dear, until now, as the hour of our parting draws near, I cannot bear to have you go. I cannot give you up, sweetheart. Say that you love me in return.” _ He stopped, his large eyes filled with yearning, centered hungrily upon her face. In a flutter of sudden alarm Peggy wrenched loose from him. She shrank away, pale and trembling, her bosom heaving rapidly, one arm upraised in a tragic gesture of repulsion. He saw the gesture and noted the in- credulity and fright in her look, and arose. Even in her trepidation Peggy was aware that the cheer that made his COPMICLOOOKS