The Argosy, March 1907 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

haps she'll not ane sO aah stock in ‘his valor when she sees him ignominiously kicked out of doors. Come on, George; we'll soon show up the insolent puppy in his true light!” ‘“Had we not better call in some of the servants?’’ demurred Burns prudent- ly. “The beggar has grown a lot since you saw him last, Mr. Stonefield, and he may attempt to put up a scrap. There’s no use in running any risk in a case of this sort.” ‘“ Nonsense,” snorted Stonefield. “I could handle an army of such white- livered rascals all by myself. There will be no necessity to resort to, violence, as you'll see; more’s the pity. He will probably break and run before I fairly open up on him.” This being the man’s mood, it may be imagined how he was affected when he burst into the room and found the indi- vidual he had come to eject actually kissing his daughter’s hand. ‘“ You—you ” he sputtered, for once unable to light on an expletive for- cible enough ta express his feelings. “lll teach you to come sneaking into my house!” With uplifted stick, he was advancing toward the intruder, when Pheebe sprang toward him and stayed his onset. : ‘Why, papa, what does this mean? ’’- y, Pap she demanded. ‘“ You must be laboring under some terrible mistake. This,’ with a wave of her hand toward her visitor, ‘is Gardiner Davis, who used to be our neighbor at Rossmore.” “TY know -well enough who he is,” stormed her father, abating not a whit in his hostile attitude. ‘‘ No one except he would have had the audacity to butt in here uninvited.” ‘Mr. Davis entered the house through a mistake,” interposed his daughter. ‘““He has remained on my invitatiom’’ “On your invitation!” criea Stone- field. ‘Have you no self-respect, Phoebe? This fellow publicly insulted you at Rossmore, yet you weakly con- done his affront. I am _ surprised at u! ? ‘“And I am surprised at you,” the girl retorted with spirit, “ cherishing resent- ment for that thoughtless schoolboy act after all these years, especially when you avenged it so harshly upon him and his SPHEARGOSY, people at the time. As for the rest, I have already explained to you that I in- vited Mr. Davis to stay; and since he is my guest, I insist that he be aecorded courteous treatment so long as he re- mains.’ Her air of offended determination car- ried the day. The father choked up, started to speak, reconsidered his pur- pose, and finally weakened. “Well, of course,” he at last grudg- ingly admitted, “if he is your. guest, Phoebe, that puts a somewhat different face on the matter. I was misled as to the status of his presence here, otherwise I would not have interfered.” “But I would,” broke in “George Burns. viciously. “I would. The presence of this fellow is extremely dis- tasteful to"me, and | insist that he not only leave the house at once, but that he hold no further communication with Miss Stonefield.”’ | Gardiner whirled on him like a flash. ‘““And by what authority do you lay down any such injunctions?” he de- manded. ‘“ What relation exists to give you the right?” e That is possibly none of your busi- ness,’ rejoined Burns; “ but,” with a sneer of malicious triumph, “I don’t mind telling you that Miss Stonefield is to be my wife.”’ Phoebe went white to the lips at the man’s supreme assurance. “Why, George Burns,” she gasped, “what a wicked, wicked falsehood! You have never even asked me to marry you.” ‘“ No,” he said carelessly, “ but I avas just about to ask you when you were taken with that sudden attack of faint- ness this evening. It has always been understood, anyway.” ‘Not with me, I assure you,” blazed forth. ‘“‘ You may have thought there could be no doubt of my accepting so flattering .an offer, but, strange as it may seem, there is. You may spare your- self the trouble of putting your proposal — into words, Mr. Burns. When I marry, it will be with a man!” And with head held high, her eyes alight with indignation, she swept out of the room like an empress. Her father hurried after her, leaving Burns and Davis alone. Gardiner picked up his hat and started to leave, but a we £5 she