The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

104 BY RIGHT OF SWORD, smile forever upon you for this deed.’ And I was plunged into a maelstrom of agonizing fears, racking doubts, and poisoned thoughts about you and what I had led you to do.”’ What Olga said had immense importance and significance for me. It showed me a startling view of my situation. It was clear the Nihilists attributed the murder to me, and what effect that would have upon us I was at a loss even to conjecture. ‘The man’s blood is not on my hands, Olga; but I cannot be surprised at the mistake. I will tell you everything; ’’ and I related to her then all that had passed. ‘‘ Who can have done it, then?’’ she asked, when I finished. ‘It is as complete a mystery to me as to the police. ‘The man I saw near the house might have done it ; but then I suppose it must have been the same man who came to you; and in that case he certainly wouldn’t have set it down to me. I am beaten. But I am likely to find the wrongful inheritance embarrassing. I must be more cautious than ever to draw down no word of suspicion upon either of us. We must both be scrupulously care- ful. And thus it will be impossible for you to think of getting away.”’ “It’s a leaden sky that has no silver streak,’’ replied Olga. ‘‘ And that impossibility is my streak.”’ I could not but understand this, and even while my judgment condemned her, my heart was warmed by her words. But my judgment spoke. ‘“Tf you were away, my anxieties would be all but ended.’’ ‘““Tf I were away my anxieties would be all but unendurable,’’ she retorted, following my words and smiling. It was not possible to hear this with anything except delight ; but I had my feelings too well under control now to let them be seen easily. 7 ‘That may be,’’ I said. ‘‘ But my first and chief effort will be to get you safe across the frontier.’’ She made no answer, but her manner told me she would not consent to go until it had become a rank impossibility for her to stay. Presently she said, with much feeling : : ‘‘ If I had been away and the news had come that you had done the thing these men assert, how do you think I could have borne it? I should have either come rushing back here or have died of remorse and fear and anxiety on your account. It was through me you commenced all this.’’ ‘But of my own choice that I continued,” I replied. ‘‘ And believe me, if all were to come over again I should act in just the same way. I have never had such a glorious time before ; all I want now is to see yousafe.’’ Olga paused to look at me steadily. ‘“You’ve never told me the whole reason why you were so ready to take all these desperate risks. Will vou tell me now?’’ ‘‘IT had made a mess of things generally, as I told you before,’’ I an- swered, with a smile and a slight flush at the reminiscence thus disturbed by her question. ‘‘ Was there a woman in it?’’ Her eyes were fixed on meias she put the question. Eomichook (E)