The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

CUPID’S NET. 167 They paddled on to the right, to the left, in every direction, but the dark water, calm and sluggish, lay on all sides. “We are ona lake,’’ said Guy. ‘‘ There is no doubt of it ; a vast under- ground lake.’’ “There must be an outlet on the other side, though,’’ replied Melton. ‘* All we need do is to paddle across and find it.’’ ‘“ But which is the proper side?’’ said Canaris. ‘‘ Are we headed straight now ?”’ ‘“By Jove, I don’t believe we are,’’ replied Guy. ‘‘I’m afraid we are completely mixed up. We will paddle until we reach the shore, and then follow it till we come to the outlet.”’ “Ves, that will do very well,’’ said the colonel. ‘‘ The lake cannot be so very large. 1 wish we had time to complete a survey of it. I should like to make a report to the Royal Geographical Society.”’ ‘‘T wish the honorable members of the R. G. S. could change places with us,’’ said Sir Arthur, with a groan. ‘‘ I have no doubt some of those luna- tics would enjoy this beastly hole. ‘There is no accounting. for taste, Carrington.’’ The colonel made no réply. He was keeping stroke with Chutney’s paddle, sharing with him the outlook ahead. The minutes passed on, but still no signs of any shore. ‘‘Tt’s a pretty fair sized lake after all,’’ said Sie ‘ And we are the first white men to navigate its waters,’’ remarked the colonel solemnly. ‘‘ This is a wonderful discovery. Our fame as great ex- plorers will be assured if we ever get back to England.”’ ‘‘TLand ahead !’’ shouted Guy suddenly, and snatching the torch from Sir Arthur, he stood erect as the canoe shot gently towards a dim object that rose from the gloom twenty yards distant. Amid breathless silence the keel nicked the sandy beach and Guy sprang out: One brief second he held the flaming torch aloft. Then he turned and tottered with trembling limbs towards the canoe. He tried to speak, but no words came, and his face was pallid and horror stricken. William Murray Graydon. (TO BE CONTINUED. ) CUPID’S NET. Au, what is Cupid’s net? A: web of filmy laces ; A trap for a coquette, A means to show her graces ; A lure he loves to set Before our very faces. Ah, what is Cupid’s net? A web of filmy laces ! Harry Romazne. COTnMicaoolK< (S@)