The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

322 THE PLUNGE. But he was suddenly aroused from this mood by the rustling of skirts as a woman swept past him. Jim raised his head, looked for a moment after the retreating figure, then started in rapid pursuit. Despite the dull twilight which had settled down, he had recognized the form ; and, when he had ap- proached within a few feet of her, he called her name, ‘‘Jo!’’? ‘There was no answer, and the woman increased her speed. But Jim’s long strides soon brought him up with her, and he was walking by her side. ‘“Jo,”’ said Jim, ‘‘ ain’t you a gwine to speak to me?’’ ‘Oh, Jim !’’ exclaimed the voice which he had once known so well, as the woman buried her face in her hands, ‘‘ please go on an’ leave me.”’’ ‘Leave you? What for, I wonder ? I reckon I’ve got a right to speak to you in passin’; ain’t I, Jo?’’ : “But you don’t know all,’’ sobbed the woman. ‘“‘ Oh, Jim, I ain't what I used to be when you loved me.’? ‘‘ What's the matter? Whar’s the singin’ teacher ?”” “ Lhain’t seed him ina long time. Oh, oh, Jim; don’t ever tell ’em at home any better’n ’at, I’m married to the singin’ teacher.”’ Jim’s brow contracted in a deep frown as all became clear to his under- standing ; and they walked along for more than a block in silerice. At length Jim spoke. ‘“ Jo, they’re a needin’ of you at home. Your mother’s a gittin’ old, you. know, an’ can’t do all the cookin’ an’ spinnin. I’m a gwine home, an’ if you'll meet me at the car shed in the mornin’, we’ll go ’long home together. Ive got money enough for two tickets. Will you come, Jo?”’ “Yes, Jim, I’ll come. Oh, Jim, we’ve served twelve months apiece, but my punishment’s been a hundred times worse than your’n.’’ They parted soon afterwards ; and Jim returned to the business part of the city, with a dark cloud overshadowing his brow, but with the light of a de-’ termined purpose gleaming from his eyes. When he came to the car shed the following morning he found Jo waiting for him, and a few moments later they were seated in an east bound train. ‘‘Jo,”’ said Jim, as they rolled out of tHe station, ‘‘ singin’ teacher’s dead.”’ 3 Charles Sloan Reid. THE PLUNGE. THERE is a rapture in the headlong leap, The wedgelike cleaving of the closing deep ; A feeling full of hardihood and power, With which we court the waters that devour. Oh ! ’tis a feeling great, sublime, supreme, Like the ecstatic influence of a dream, To speed one’s way thus o’er the sliding plain, And make a kindred being with the main. —Bailey. GEomichbook