The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, 395 ‘““What do you mean, you young rascal?’’ he demanded. ‘‘ What do you imply by these insinuations ?”’ . ‘‘ Hush, hush !’’ exclaimed Undercliff. ‘‘ You forget yourself, Monckton. And you, Howard, are talking wildly.’’ But Thorne had risen also; still with his eyes fastened on the junior part- ner’s face. ‘Perhaps I am talking wildly,’’ he said. ‘‘ But I mean to probe this mystery to the bottom. I believe there was a thief; but it was not my father. But if I live to return to Boston, /’4 find the guilty scoundrel !”? ‘“VYou ‘are a fool, young man!’’ exclaimed Monckton, regaining his mental equilibrium. ‘‘ When you have recovered from these paroxysms of foolishness I ata expect an apology for your insinuations. I shall listen no longer to you.’ He strode to the door and went out, Carter silently felleeias him. When they had gone Undercliff turned to Thorne with pallid face. ‘‘ Howard,’’ he said brokenly, ‘‘ you have hurt me deeply. Your insinu- ating words were uncalled for.”’ ‘““Guardy,’’ replied the young man, seizing his hand, ‘‘ you are the best and most unsuspicious man who ever lived. I suppose I spoke without thinking of the consequences—I always was impulsive. Forgive me, do, and I will keep my suspicions to myself—for the present, at least.’’ “TI forgive you, for I know your words were the outcome of impulse. But I could never even Azz/ at such infamy as you suggested—not now, after having once accused a man wrongfully of acrime. Oh, no, never !”’ ‘‘ But answer me one question, Guardy, and I’ll promise not to refer to this painful subject again ! ’’ ‘What is it, my boy?’ ‘‘ Did Mr. Monckton ever have any occasion to dislike my father ?”’ Undercliff hesitated a moment. ‘Well, there may possibly have been some little ill feeling between them at one time,’’ he admitted slowly. ‘What was the cause of it?”’ “To tell you the truth, Howard, they both fell in love with the same woman—something which often occurs in this little world. It would seem that, as many women as there are, there would be enough to go around,’’ and he smiled a little sadly. ‘‘ Who was she ?’’ asked Thorne. “Why, your mother, of course.’’ ‘“Ah! then Mr. Monckton did not like my father because my mother pre- ferred to be Mrs. Thorne rather than Mrs. Monckton?’’ ‘Well, there was a little feeling at one time, as I say. But Monckton is a sensible man. He was married even before your father, and ‘his wife is a very charming woman indeed.”’ ‘‘’'That is enough,’’ responded Thorne quickly. ‘‘ I'll say nothing more about it now.’’ ‘“You have always disliked the Moncktons, my boy, and I never could understand it,’’ said the senior partner, sinking wearily into a chair. CONNIELOOKS.€O) 5}