Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

246 Fortune walked alone on the beach, con- scious always that he was watched from a distance, but glad to keep away from Zorn or any who might question him. At a distance he saw the crooked-backed man Tringe, playing with his kites, and near him the inseparable Shard. He recognized, too, with a sudden start, Mary’s plain, gray robe. Conquering his impulse to be near her, he lay on the sand and watched the sky and sea, turning a longing glance to- ward the ruined walls of old New York not so far away, but still beyond his reach. To forget Mary he busied his mind with speculations about Alda’s plans. Then he became acutely conscious that Mary was walking toward him. Always this girl walked bareheaded, swinging easily in strides as long as a boy’s and graceful as any beautiful wild animal. The warm sun discovered burnished streaks in her soit, fine brown hair. It ripened her cheeks to a peach bloom. Her shoes of soft leather made no sound in the sand so that she appeared to glide free of the earth. To Fortune it seemed she moved like splendid music, and all the commonplace and sordid plans he had been making fled at her approach. When Mary was near he rose to greet her. ** Sit down beside me,” Fortune invited. “ Help mie to bask away these last few hours of freedom. This day is enough to make a contented philosopher even of a con- demned man.” Mary’s eyes widened with grave concern. “You have decided, then?” “ Not finally.” Fortune turned hot and embarrassed at the evasion. It was hard to lie to Mary. “‘ Zorn has asked for you. He is curious what answer you will give the Comrades.’ “Are you curious, Mary? Does it trouble you?”’ “T have done all that I can to win you to the cause,’’ Mary answered simply. ‘“ If I could do more, I would—” ‘“‘ What, to save my life? Tell me, would you do it to save me from execution?” Mary looked vaguely troubled. When she answered it was with characteristic hon- esty. ‘ No, I do not think so—not for that, THE ARGOSY. but we do need a man of your trade and ability—we need you bitterly. Why won’t you—no, I promised myself I’d say no more about that!” “Then if I die to-night you will not be sorry—not even for a minute,” exclaimed the young soldier reproachfully. ‘‘ You will not regret—you will not miss me?” “Regret? Certainly I will regret.” Mary’s grayish-blue eyes met his gaze with perfect frankness. “I will miss you more than I can tell, because of our need for you and your work—” ““My work! Will you never forget my work, my trade! Mary, will you never look at me as a man—a man who loves you? For a few minutes will you forget your schemes and your dirty-faced rabble and answer me truly? A month we’ve walked together and talked together and laughed together. Are you not human? Will you never, for a moment, think sadly of the man who loved you—after he is gone? Mary’s hands were clasped about one drawn-up knee. Her face was turned away and she seemed to look steadily at the dis- tant city. Fortune studied the profile of cheek eager to guess if it had flushed or if it gave any sign of response to his sup- plication. He found time to marvel at the even, creamy brown of her slender neck and slim shoulder where the breeze stirred her robe; to long to touch a feathery wisp of hair that escaped from the knotted mass resting in the hollow at the base of her head. Mary spoke, her face still averted: ‘“‘ Now, you are thinking only of siege Bes I will not tell you.” Despite the words she chose, Fortune was encouraged to plead. “ Do you re- member how we first met here on this beach? It was almost two years ago, and it seems a lifetime! Do you think I ever forgot that day for one instant? “T was only out of the cadets’ school, on a pleasure voyage, exploring this great bay in my little boat. And I landed here and found you. You were not so cold then! ‘“T startled you, but we became friends. We laughed together—we got on famously. You remember! Then you warned me to Gomichbooks (E@)