Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 3, 1924 — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

868 Richard had been thinking of that last night with Mary, sailing in her yacht on an enchanted sea. With soft suggestion of the moonlight he seemed to see again that wonderful girl, bursting upon him from the lilacs. He felt once more that thrill, as she clung to him so tightly, so trustfully. Like some elusive creature Mary seemed to flit away. Now, far above and beyond him, he beheld the girl of his dreams, steer- ing the Alcala, with the touch of the divine. And now she seemed to come to him , again as he saw those eyes of love that filled with tears beside the gate at parting. While his heart was warming with a great glow at this fond glimpse, that other haunt- ing picture came down suddenly between him and his vision, like a curtain of disen- chantment—Mary Williston on the arm of Nat Gertridge, waving him edie. It was this last glimpse that broke for Richard the magic of the night, and ren- dered the peace of the Mersey a mockery, in contrast to the turbulence that raged within. In action at sea he had been able to drown all thoughts of love. But now with the inactivity ashore, his thoughts were al- ways wandering, Mary Williston was always calling. Even in his dreams her presence followed him, imploring him to leave the Valkyrie, to come back to her. He had left her at the gate, speaking lightly of the silks that he would send from China. But now, even the Atlantic between them seemed more than he could bear. Homesickness had not been one of Rich- ard’s failings; his was the roving nature. The Dunbars took to the adventure trail as naturally as the Gertridges took to the counting house stool. But to-night some- thing was pulling at his heart strings. The harassing thought of Richard came through a word dropped by the stolid Pugs- ley. This word had conjured up like a nightmare that last glimpse of Nat and Mary together as he sailed away. Richard had hoped for a letter from Mary. He had been counting the days for that letter. He felt sure that she could not forget him, and that a message would be forthcoming. In this he was disappointed. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. With the arrival of the American packet all the others had received their letters. Pugsley had the gossip from Newburyport. which at first he took pains to keep to himself, with tantalizing meanness. “You heard from home?” inquired Dun- bar. (19 Yes.” Richard smoked his pipe expectantly. There was a question he was burning to ask, but with his wonted reticence he waited. Pugsley enjoyed keeping the other guess- ing, so he took out his precious missive, and read it over in silence, chuckling at certain passages. Richard was consumed to know what rumors might be there, but he considered it beneath him to address fa- miliar questions to this interloper. Finally Pugsley could no longer hold back the gossip that had been dished up to him with enticing savour. *T reckon things have been movin’ in the old burg since we fellers left.” “* How’s that?” “Well, listen to this.” Pugsley picked up his sister’s letter and read the snatches that had caused him to chuckle. “You might be interested to know that vat Gertridge, Jr., your young boss, is get- ting on fine in the business. He took over from Nathanael, Sr., lately, and it’s a great name he’s going to be making for himself. “They appointed him a warden in the Old North Church last Sunday. He's walking right in his father’s footsteps, does everything just right, no foolishness about him, not even to wasting money. He passes the collection plate to us every Sunday, and Liz and I al- ways say how handsome he is, such fine eyes. All the girls is crazy about him, and no wonder, him the biggest catch in New- buryport. “Most fellows in his piace would be doing a lot of mashing, but not him. He’s awful respectable. Just got his eye out for one per- son, that’s that Widow Williston’s girl, the outlandish one who’s always doing them man- nish tricks, such as sailing boats, and the like. IT don’t see what young Nat can find in such as her, but there ain't no counting for tastes. “Well, Bill, he’s going right after that there Williston kid, just like he goes after business. “Liz says she’s sure he'll be chasing lots more girls before he’s through. But I knows better. You never seen a Gertridge start out COMIG DOO! C©