The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

THE MUTINY ON THE FLYING CLOUD. a6t had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and finally directing the two men to advance with caution as far as possible with the view of ascertaining the whereabouts of the missing ones, and of affording them help if help were in- deed still possible, and, when they had done all that they could to the best of their judgment, to return to the fort with intelligence. Haying thus dismissed his companions, the doctor tenderly raised the now insensible Lucille in his arms, and, pressing her to his breast with a sob of inarticulate gratitude for her preservation, he wended his way back to the fort with a heavy, grief stricken heart, wondering meanwhile how he could best meet the anxious inquiries which he knew would be made by poor Mrs. Grant. As he approached the fort he saw the two ladies watching for him; and anxious not to unduly alarm them, he cried out—referring to Lucille—as soon as he had approached within shouting distance : ‘‘It is all right; she is not hurt, only frightened a little. Get her bed ready.”’ Upon hearing this, Mrs. Grant, supposing that her husband and Percy were following at their leisure, hurried away to prepare Lucille’s bed for her, leaving Mrs. Henderson to receive her child. This afforded the doctor an opportunity which, to speak the truth, was most welcome to him. He knew from experience the consummate tact which women are wont to exercise in the breaking of bad news, and he resolved forthwith to delegate to his wife the task to which he had been looking for- ward with so much mental perturbation. So, as soon as he reached his wife’s side, he said hastily : ‘‘ Look here, Rose dear, you need not be alarmed. With the exception of being frightened very nearly out of her wits, poor child, there is nothing wrong with Lucille ; she has swooned with terror, but I can soon put her all right again. The Malays, however, have landed on the island; and I am dreadfully afraid they have got Grant and poor little Percy, but we can know nothing for certain until the return of Manners and Nicholls, who have gone forward to reconnoiter. Poor Mrs. Grant is certain to inquire presently for her husband and child, sol want you to go to her mow. Break to her as gently as possible what I have just told you, laying stress at the same time upon the fact that we know nothing certainly as yet, and that matters may turn out much better than we apprehend. See! there she is. Now go to her and be as gentle as you can.’’ Full of sympathy, Mrs. Henderson at this hurried away upon her painful errand; whilst her husband, as soon as the coast was clear, made his way down to his own room with the unconscious Lucille. Arrived there, he laid the child upon her bed, and then opened the com- pact medicine chest which, on leaving New York, he had happily taken the precaution of adding to his personal outfit, and this done he forthwith set about the task of restoration. The task proved more difficult and of longer duration than he had anticipated ; and before success rewarded his efforts his wife rejoined him, in tears. OMIGOOOKSKE |