The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

38 A PERUVIAN PARADISE. ness ;-though he could not understand why a simple kiss had so strangely affected her. He thought upon it so much that finally he determined to ask the old priest something about the customs of the tribe in regard to the intercourse of the sexes. Possibly, he told himself, he had commited some crime against their social customs by kissing her; or perhaps Kissing was an entirely unknown quantity among these Indians. Therefore he inquired of his host, so carefully that he would not suspect his reasons for asking, The old man seemed delighted whenever Keeth: showed any ufusual interest in his people. He had grown fond of the young stranger during the weeks of his captivity, and seemed never tired of talking with him. And during a long and rambling résumé of the customs and laws of the tribe Keeth learned a very interesting fact. He ascertained that the kiss was a sign of betrothal, and that it was considered a great breach of etiquette for a man and woman to exchange such a caress unles$ marriage was con- templated. To say that Keeth was troubled at this information is to put it very mildly. He understood now the change in Imozene’s behavior. He had taken a liberty which a proud spirited girl could scarcely forgive, and he felt humili- ated to the dust, despite the fact that he had done the thing unwittingly. From remarks the old priest let drop, he thought that it was his intention to betroth Imozene to her cousin Gonnatzl, who would be the head man of the tribe when he was gone. Keeth wondered what Gonnatzl would do if he learned of what had passed between the princess and himself, He knew the young Indian. He had been among those who had attended the priest and Imozene the day Keeth and his friends had been brought to the valley of the Incas. He was a brawny, stern visaged savage—a noble looking man, though a bit surly in disposition. The engineer fancied that he looked upon him and his two companions in captivity with an unfriendly eye, as it was. Two months had now passed since they had come among these Indians and the first opportunity for escape had not presented itself. Fitch was ina state bordering on desperation and Ford was in despair. | ‘You're taking it mighty easy, Keeth, up there with that old priest at the temple,’’ complained Ford. ‘‘ What d’ye suppose my house in Callao thinks of my being gone all this while? And I should think you would feel kind of funny about your own position. Do you intend to stay here for- ever? = ‘‘ Please don’t be an idiot, Ford,’’ returned the engineer. ‘‘If you can show me the merest chance for escape I’ll try it with the rest of you. I can’t make chances,’’ ‘“ No, nor you’re not looking for them,’’ declared Ford. Well, what can we do?” ‘Hi tell you wot it is, young man,’’ said Fitch seriously, ‘ they’re treatin’ you so bloody fine hup there that you don’t more’n ’alf care w’ether you get away or not. But me ’n’ Mr. Kinsale do. We're goin’ to do some- thin’ desperate yet.’ Eomichbooks (E@)