The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

386 A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. rooms to change my boating flannels for something which I could appear down town in,’’ and Thorne, with a laugh, dropped into a convenient chair before the baize covered table. ‘‘ But what’s in the wind, Guardy?”’ The expression of the elder man’s face changed instantly. His eyes shifted their gaze from the frank countenance of his questioner and a deep line appeared between his brows. He set to pacing the floor again with nervous strides. © : ‘‘ Oh—ah—well, Howard, I hardly know how to tell you. I received some news today that has quite upset me.’’ ‘On which you want the benefit of my experience,’’ laughed the other. A little smile played under Mr. Undercliff’s mustache for an instant. ‘‘ Not exactly, my boy. But it is something you must know.’’ ‘* Drive ahead then, sir.’’ ‘‘I—I wish I cowld drive ahead,’ réturned the older man, hesitatingly. . ‘But, to tell you the truth, I scarcely know how to begin.’’ The other’s face betrayed his surprise and curiosity. ‘‘'You wonder what has shaken me so,’’ pursued Mr. Undercliff. ‘‘ Ah, Howard, old memories have been stirred today that have slept for years. Little wonder that I am shaken.’’ ‘“Has it to do with me ?’’ eee: ‘© About me?’’ ‘“No, my boy. It is about your father.”’ The young man started. ‘“ My father ?’’ he repeated. ‘‘I should like to hear about him, it is true. I believe you have never told me very much concerning him. He died twenty years ago—before I could remember him—did he not?” Undercliff halted in his walk and faced the younger man. He placed both hands upon the table and leaned forward, with his shrewd eyes fixed upon Thorne’s face. ' ‘It is a fact, Howard ; I have never told you much about your parents. Otherwise I think I have done my duty by you,’’ he said, with some emo- tion. ‘* My dear friend,’’ cried the other, ‘‘ you could not have treated me more kindly or liberally had I been your ov’n son.’’ ‘Thank you, my boy. I have looked upon you as my son. But perhaps I should have told you something more about your own father ere this. But I had always believed him dead = ‘Believed him dead ?’’ interrupted Thorne, springing to his feet. “Then—then 2 ~ “Today I have had news which leads me to believe the opposite,’’ said Charles Undercliff, quietly. : ‘“For heaven’s sake, sir, explain !’’ gasped the young man. ‘‘ Do you mean that my father is alive ?”’ ‘* Something that has occurred on the opposide side of the globe, news of which only reached us today, leads me to believe that he zs. But sit down, Howard. Calm yourself. Let me tell you the whole story—and a sad, Eomicbooks 3