The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. 241 there came a gtfeat longing, something that he had never felt before, and something that seemed to change and alter him in the passing of a second. The recollection of his burned hut, his wish to hunt Midnight down, his anxiety to build up wealth, all faded before this new impulse which swept over him and carried Mary Giles up to the very pinnacle of his being and set her there as his idol and his love. He saw Giles loosen his daughter’s arms and gently push her away, but he did not catch the words he uttered, and which brought a rich mantling flood of color to Mary’s face. ‘“Come, let us have a smoke and a yarn,’’ Giles said abruptly, as he rose from the table and walked out on the veranda. Wilton saw Mary’s eyes looking after him, while her lip trembled, and as he passed her he looked into her face and held out his hand. He intended to say something, but as she took it his mind forgot what it would have expressed, and he turned away, confused and distressed, and followed Giles out. So he did not see the light that came into her eyes and the smile that rip- pled over her face before she turned and went to her own room. She sat upon her roughly constructed bed, smiling, happy and joyful, for although her father had repelled her when she attempted to show him the affection she felt for him, another had come into her life, and, in her unsophisticated man- ner, she did not for a moment trifle with the state of her feelings. Thus, at the same time, the two had installed-each other as the sovereign of the heart, and only a little more was needed of that sympathy which had arisen for their eyes to be opened and those words to be said which would link their two lives into one. Untrammeled by the rules of conventional society, there was no wish on either side to conceal, and only the. opportunity was wanting when, as naturally as flowers turn to the sun, he would turn to her, and she to him, and in the union of their loves the big battle of life be begun. As Wilton joined his host on the veranda all desire to discuss the situation had vanished before the new interest which had come into his life. He sat down and let his mind go into a dreamy reverie, from which he was rudely awakened by Giles asking if he were not going to smoke. Mechanically he took his pipe from his pocket and began cutting up his tobacco. ‘“ Now, what’s your next move?’’ Giles asked. ‘‘I suppose you’ll put up a new hut for Midnight to burn down again? ’”’ “T hardly know yet,’’ Wilton replied. “It’s the best thing you can do, and I dare say if you pass the word round you'll have all the help you want. For my part I have to get away over the ranges to see after some cattle that are offered to me, and I was going to start this morning ; but I can delay that for a bit.’’ ‘“And leave your daughter all alone here while Midnight is about?’’ Wilton exclaimed. ““QOh, she’s all right. He’s too busy with his gang to bother about her, and besides, I shall bring back some one who will take her off my hands.”’ Wilton looked at him in surprise. ‘There was a ring of callous indiffer- (D) CORnielaooks